Several Teams Having Clash on Signing Connor Williams

Before the Chicago Bears traded for Ryan Bates and signed Coleman Shelton, they would have been a no-brainer lock to be in play 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 set to be one of the top free agents available, but his injury slowed his market. However, his rehab is going well and he’s expecting to be ready for week one. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Williams has talked “with multiple teams” and plans to “pick his new team before training camp begins.”

He played center for the Miami Dolphins for the last 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 the teams Williams is speaking with, but CBS Sports did list the Bears as one of the best fits for the 27-year-old interior offensive lineman.

It’s largely assumed that the Bears’ top goal for 2024 is getting No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams to the finish line healthy. Adding a player of Williams’ caliber would do that while also giving some much-needed depth and versatility to Chicago’s front.

Once healthy, Williams would be an upgrade at center, which would move Bates to the swing or possibly push Nate Davis to the bench.

But I don’t see the Bears having the cap space to add Wiliams and address a veteran defensive end, and EDGE is a bigger need.

Here’s what a few of our other guys had to say about the possibility of Connor Williams coming to the Bears.