The phones were a trap the Bears kept walking into, shipping out surplus on nearly every deal. It bottoms out at a F.

Whatever Caleb Williams becomes, the front office has tied its fortunes to the answer. They will regret leaving interior defensive lineman for another day if the season turns on it. They will need Rice to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.

The Newton pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. Spend now, pay later; the math only works if this class delivers.

Bottom line, it will take a lot of luck to make this look better later.