Ex-Bears RB Gives Caleb Williams Harsh Four-Word Evaluation, Defends Justin Fields

The former running back and longtime media pundit blasted one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class.

Former Chicago Bears running back Merril Hoge has come to to the defense of the franchise’s starting quarterback, Justin Fields, while blasting potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and his NFL future in the process.

“I’ve only watched Caleb Williams three games last year and three this year, so I’m only halfway done, O.K.? The one thing that is clear: He is not special,” Hoge said Friday during an interview on Super Bowl radio row in Las Vegas. “He is not something unique like a Patrick Mahomes. And I hope the Bears don’t try to make up for their mistake when we passed on Patrick Mahomes, and go get the Patrick Mahomes. The kid is not Patrick Mahomes.”

Hoge thinks all of the speculation around whether or not the Bears will draft a quarterback is unfair to Fields, especially considering his performance and improvement as a professional.

“It is unfair to Justin Fields,” Hoge continued. “… What I have seen from Justin Fields in my evaluation is that there’s enough growth and hope there, that I would not let him go, because I see enough there.”

Merril Hoge has harsh evaluation of Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/oIeDg83SOZ

— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) February 9, 2024

Hoge’s support of Fields contradicts Bears franchise legend Brian Urlacher, who said on Friday that if there are still questions about whether or not Fields is “the guy,” then he is probably not the guy.

Williams, who won the 2022 Heisman Trophy at USC, has been widely regarded as the top quarterback available in this year’s draft class.

Time will tell if Chicago’s front office sees it the same way.