The top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft — quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels — are scheduled to meet Sunday when the Chicago Bears visit the Washington Commanders.
If they both actually take the field is yet to be determined. It’s a homecoming for top draft pick Williams, who grew up in the Washington area.
Chicago (4-2) is coming off a bye while the Commanders (5-2) cruised to a 40-7 victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers last Sunday.
Daniels injured his ribs while falling at the end of a 46-yard run on the opening play of the Commanders’ first drive against Carolina. He finished the drive, which ended with a field goal, but showed signs of discomfort and left the game.
Coach Dan Quinn said Daniels is week-to-week, but the hope is the rookie quarterback can practice by the end of the week and be ready Sunday.
“He’ll continue in all the meetings and our individual stuff. He’ll go through that, and he’ll get treatment today,” Quinn said on Wednesday. “He’ll continue to progress throughout today and tomorrow, and I’ll update you guys after Friday’s practice, and go from there.”
If Daniels can’t go, veteran backup Marcus Mariota will face the Bears’ fifth-ranked defense. Against the Panthers, Mariota came on to start the second series and completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’d expect nothing else of him,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “He’s been a leader since he got here. He’s really helped Jayden along, and we’ve really built some camaraderie with him as well.”
The injury has been the only thing able to slow Daniels. The 23-year-old has completed 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniels has 372 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Williams, 22, has been impressive during his rookie campaign as well, completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,317 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Bears scored 95 points in their three wins heading into the bye. Williams is focused on picking up where they left off.
“The flow of it is us being the flow, understanding the flow and us staying in it,” he said. “We gotta be a little bit better at the deep ball and things like that, myself, and the first quarter, we gotta come out and be better. We’ve scored a bunch in the second, third and fourth quarter, but first quarter for sure, we gotta be better.”
D’Andre Swift leads the Bears with 325 yards rushing (3.6 yards per attempt), while DJ Moore has 31 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
The Commanders’ offense ranks tied for first in points per game (31.1) and fourth in the NFL with 384.1 yards per game.
“It’s a similar offense when you watch the offenses,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of Daniels and Mariota. “Of course, they’re different type of players in terms of who they are quarterback-wise. Our plan will be our plan and we’ll adjust. We’ll have contingency plans for who’s in there but we’re going to stick with what we’re doing.”
Washington is averaging 165.4 yards per game on the ground led by Brian Robinson, who has gained 396 yards (4.7 yards per carry).
That offense will be tested Sunday. Chicago’s defense ranks fifth in the NFL, allowing just 292 yards per game. The Bears are allowing just 16.8 points per game and have not surrendered over 21 points in 12 consecutive games dating back to last season.
A pair of Bears — cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) — did not participate in practice on Wednesday.
