The Chiefs will play in their fourth Super Bowl in five seasons, thanks to their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes who has been able to elevate his supporting cast despite salary-cap concerns. Other teams with elite quarterbacks have faced similar challenges, but Mahomes has the ability to make it work. The Bears, on the other hand, have been chasing a star quarterback and have yet to find one. Is Justin Fields the answer? While he has shown progress, he still has a long way to go compared to quarterbacks like the 49ers' Brock Purdy and the Bills' Josh Allen. The best quarterbacks can thrive even with deficiencies in their supporting cast, and Mahomes is a prime example of that.

Despite not having top-tier wide receivers, Mahomes continues to excel and trust in his teammates. The Chiefs' offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, who was previously the coach of the Bears, recognizes Mahomes' unique abilities and motivation to prove himself with any supporting cast. While Mahomes still has tight end Travis Kelce, his starting wide receivers for the Super Bowl will be relatively inexperienced and lower-paid players. The evaluation of a quarterback, according to Nagy, boils down to whether you win with the quarterback or because of the quarterback.

For the Bears, clarity and stability at the quarterback position are crucial. General manager Ryan Poles, who previously worked with Mahomes in Kansas City, knows firsthand the impact a franchise quarterback can have on a team. He is open to drafting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, like USC standout Caleb Williams, but acknowledges the unpredictability of the draft. The Chiefs' success with Mahomes was no stroke of luck; they knew what they were doing when they selected him. Poles now has the opportunity to find a franchise quarterback with Fields and potentially Williams, but he must make the right decision to bring the Bears back to contention.