Caleb Williams will be the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, and we're nearing a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears will select him.
The quarterback situation in Chicago makes this situation a bit complicated, but the decision to draft Williams isn't. The Bears' incumbent, Justin Fields, is beloved by fans and his teammates, but his talent and upside fall way short of what Williams is capable of. That, combined with Chicago's ability to reset the quarterback clock with Williams, makes selecting him a no-brainer.
However, general manager Ryan Poles has emphasized that he wants to get to know Caleb Williams the person (as well as all the other quarterback prospects), not just the player. Williams has a perceived quirky personality, whether it's because he publicly cried after USC's loss to Washington, or he paints his fingernails, or he wears odd clothes in a GQ photo shoot.
Poles has a lot of digging to do, and he'll find ESPN's latest piece on Williams helpful.
Williams dispelled any rumors about him not wanting to play in Chicago or what his career goals might be.
"If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited," Williams said.
"I'm not pushing any agenda," he said. "At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I'm not pushing an agenda of, 'Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don't want to go.' I'm excited for whatever comes."
Williams-to-the-Bears gained serious momentum Tuesday when Poles talked about wanting to respect Justin Fields during this quarterback decision. He doesn't want Fields lingering in the grey. He wants to get a trade done soon so he and the entire organization can turn their attention to Williams (or Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels).
Caleb Williams knows how to get to the hearts of Bears fans, too. He said he's been studying hours of film of Michael Jordan and Walter Payton.
"As the saying goes, the legends live on. That's my goal of playing football -- it's not money, it's not fame ... it's to be immortal. I want to reach that sense of being a legend. Being at the table ... and having a rightful seat through hard work and energy and time I've put into this game that we all love.
"It's appealing to be in (Chicago). With legends that you've looked up to ... reach for the standard they set and try to do anything to get there."
Williams will speak with the media later this week, and he has something he wants to achieve.
"Being able to see who I am as a person and my heart and love for football and winning games," Williams said. "That's what I think they'll get from it, and my intensity about being on a team and going out there and kicking ass with my new brothers. That's what I'm excited about. That's who I am."
Caleb Williams has been the top player in college football for what feels like an eternity. He finished his two seasons at USC throwing for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Simply put, he's that dude. And Poles knows it.
Get fired up, Chicago Bears fans. You deserve this.
