Here’s What Jayden Daniels Pro Day told us about Bears’ Draft Plan

The LSU Tigers held their highly anticipated Pro Day on Wednesday. Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels was among the players who brought all 32 teams to Louisiana ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to a report from Ian Rapoport, Daniels was scheduled to meet with many teams following his Pro Day performance. Most notably omitted from Rapoport’s tweet: The Chicago Bears.

Immediately following his Pro Day, #LSU QB and potential Top 3 pick Jayden Daniels is scheduled to meet with the #Patriots, #Commanders, #Giants, #Vikings, #Broncos and #Raiders, per his agent Ron Butler. Daniels has not previously met with any teams. pic.twitter.com/1wM92chLz8

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2024

Daniels is slated to meet with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, the teams who own the two immediate selections after the Chicago Bears’ No. 1 overall pick. It’s worth noting that Bears general manager Ryan Poles was a late arrival to LSU’s Pro Day, but it’s fairly telling that Poles and Co. haven’t scheduled a face-to-face meeting with Daniels.

Some more guys filtering in from the owners meetings—Bears GM Ryan Poles and Titans GM Ran Carthon among them. Poles is joined by Chicago assistant GM Ian Cunningham. The Vikings sent QBs coach Josh McCown, who repped Minnesota at JJ McCarthy’s Pro Day, too. https://t.co/SeUofWdMgp

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 27, 2024

If the Bears were considering selecting Daniels with the No. 1 overall selection, surely they’d schedule an extensive meeting with him at Pro Day? This strategy is a stark departure from the one employed at USC’s Pro Day, where the Bears flocked in bunches to evaluate and meet with USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Williams to the Bears is a foregone conclusion. Poles’ decision to pass on a meeting with Daniels at Pro Day indicates the decision has already been made. Start ordering your Williams jerseys, Bears fans.