Before trading for Ryan Bates and signing Coleman Shelton, the Chicago Bears were a lock to be in the running for free agent center Connor Williams, but now I’d say it’s a long shot.
Williams, who tore his ACL on December 11, was expected to be one of the top free agents available, but his injury hampered his prospects. However, his rehabilitation is doing well, and he expects to be ready for week one. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams has spoken “with multiple teams” and intends to “pick his new team before training camp begins.”
He played center for the Miami Dolphins for the past two years (26 starts in 26 games) and guard for the Dallas Cowboys from 2018 to 2021 (51 starts in 57 games).
To be clear, neither Schefter nor any other insider is reporting on which clubs Williams is speaking with, but CBS Sports did name the Bears as one of the better fits for the 27-year-old interior offensive lineman.
It’s widely thought that the Bears’ biggest priority for 2024 is to get No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams across the finish line healthy. Adding a player of Williams’ level would do this while also providing much-needed depth and diversity to Chicago’s front line.
Once recovered, Williams would be an upgrade at center, moving Bates to the swing or potentially pushing Nate Davis to the bench.
But I don’t think the Bears have the cap capacity to sign Wiliams and address a veteran defensive end, and EDGE is a more pressing need.
Here’s what some of our other folks had to say about the likelihood of Connor Williams joining the Bears.
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