With Chicago Bears among the various NFL team officials in attendance on March 2, the incoming quarterbacks hit the field for drills at the NFL Scouting Combine with the running backs and wide receivers.
They also held press conferences and made other various media rounds.
That allowed Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy to dish on his meeting with the Bears, which he came away from feeling positive.
?It was awesome just watching tape with them, going over our plays a little bit,? McCarthy told reporters during his media availability at the scouting combine on February 2. And you know they got me up on the boards and retained some information, and we did pretty well. So it was awesome.?
Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy had ‘Awesome’ Meeting With Bears
J.J. McCarthy: Playing at Soldier Field Would Be a ?Dream Come True?
McCarthy led the Wolverines to a National Championship victory this past season.
He has skyrocketed up draft boards, beginning the 2023 season outside of the first round. His ascension has continued after the games stopped, with some projections slotting him inside the top 10 in April?s draft.
A native of LaGrange Park, Illinois, McCarthy is no stranger to the area nor the history and tradition of Soldier Field.
?It’s been one of my dreams … whether I’m playing for the Bears or against them [to play at Soldier Field],? McCarthy said. ?But Soldier Field, one of the oldest stadiums in America. And just growing up, going to all the games and you know being part of a halftime thing where I was a Player of the Week in Illinois, it?s something that would be truly a dream come true.?
McCarthy?s qualifier of ?for the Bears or against them? is prescient.
The Bears are expected to select USC?s Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. If they do not, however, perhaps they circle back to the ?hometown? kid made good for their next quarterback.
There is a bit of irony in McCarthy raving about playing at Soldier Field while the organization has seemingly been focused on every other potential venue for their new stadium. That is still a few years away; if it happens at all. The soon-to-be rookie could have plenty of opportunities to make that dream come true.
J.J. McCarthy throwing on the move pic.twitter.com/GBiVinmZCn
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 2, 2024
Draft?s Top Center High on Bears
Quarterback talk aside, the Bears also need some upgrades along the offensive line, and Oregon?s Jackson Powers-Johnson is at the top of the class.
Powers-Johnson also spoke of his meeting with Bears brass.
?It went great,? he told media members. ?Incredible people. Incredible. A lot of great history there too. And it was just a great interview. I hear they have great pizza there, especially deep dish. I?ll have to try that.?
Pizza faux pas aside, Powers-Johnson would be an upgrade at the position for the Bears.
They already cut 2023 Week 1 starter Cody Whitehair while 2022 free agent signing Lucas Patrick is a free agent. Powers-Johnson also said nice things about his potential future quarterback in Williams and shared that he referenced the Bears Superfan skits from Saturday Night Live to General Manager Ryan Poles.
The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Powers-Johnson hits the field for drills on March 3.