The Caleb Williams era is officially underway with the Chicago Bears. Head coach Matt Eberflus named Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team's starting quarterback.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. The only other quarterbacks on the Bears roster are Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, and Austin Reed. Without an established veteran on the depth chart, there was no reason to wait to announce Williams as QB1.
Bears HC Matt Eberflus officially named Caleb Williams today as Chicago’s starting QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2024
Beyond just the obvious traits on film, Caleb Williams won over the Chicago Bears with character and off-field traits.
Aura pic.twitter.com/J4tt1a9jmn
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2024
"No conversation, he's the starter," Eberflus said.
The Bears are holding their 2024 rookie minicamp over the next couple of days, headlined by Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze, the pair of first-round picks that have created more excitement in Chicago than any first-round picks in recent memory.
Williams and Odunze are already working together to build on-field chemistry, which should help both rookies expedite their NFL learning curve.
The chemistry is already being built pic.twitter.com/MMTPD4la1y
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2024
The Bears' handling of Caleb Williams is a breath of fresh air compared to the prior regime's handling of Justin Fields. Instead of wasting time and valuable reps as a QB2 behind a stopgap quarterback, Williams will break the first offensive huddle as Chicago's QB1.
Things already feel very different around Halas Hall. Hopefully, the results on the field will be too.
