Bears coach Matt Eberflus says No. 1 pick Caleb Williams will start the season as the No. 1 quarterback.
Caleb Williams is Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback. Just in case there was any doubt that the No. 1 overall draft pick is the team’s No. 1 quarterback, coach Matt Eberflus proved it on Friday. “There is no conversation. “He’s the starter,” he explained.
Eberflus’ comment was not surprising given that the Bears have been all in on Williams since the early stages of the draft process. They made their intentions known when they traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh in March.
When Chicago selected Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields with high picks in previous years, they brought in veteran quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Andy Dalton, expecting the rookies to watch from the sidelines in a sort of redshirt season. The idea backfired in both occasions, with Glennon being benched for bad play and Dalton being injured. However, the Bears were under a different regime at the time, with former general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.
The Bears’ other quarterbacks are Tyson Bagent and undrafted rookie Austin Reed.
Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is widely regarded as a generational talent. The Bears are counting on him to become the franchise quarterback that Chicago has sought for decades. Williams appears to be enjoying his new surroundings, whether he’s sitting courtside at a Chicago Sky preseason game, receiving a standing ovation at Wrigley Field, or doing everyday things like shopping at Target.
“You want to find balance within all of this,” Williams remarked on Friday. “That’s really essential. And then there’s the part about getting around. Going to Target was for all of the installation and little items that I required. And I felt the manner I was walking made for a funny picture. It is all of it. All of this contributes to enjoying and finding a good balance, as well as becoming adapted to the location of the land and other such factors.”
Williams has 93 touchdown throws and 14 interceptions in three seasons at Oklahoma and Southern California. He followed coach Lincoln Riley from Norman to Los Angeles, where he threw 72 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions in two seasons with the Trojans.
Since reaching the Super Bowl in 2006, the Bears have made only three playoff appearances. They’ve gone 10-24 in two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and Eberflus. However, they envision themselves as postseason contenders after going from three victories in 2022 to 7-10 last season. That is mostly dependent on Williams.
“You can really tell he’s comfortable in his own skin and he is who he is,” Eberflus stated. “His personality begins. His brilliance emanates from the within. You can surely feel the energy. He believes that one plus one is equal to three. He is an enhancer. He’s a guy who brings out the best in others. You can feel it in him after only five minutes of meeting him.” Williams gained an advantage in mastering the fundamentals of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s scheme by working with personal quarterback coach Will Hewlett.
During the pre-draft process, Williams met all of Chicago’s requirements. He has made a positive impression on the Bears since they drafted him, whether he is working out with teammates or attending Cubs or Sky games with them.
“The community has rallied behind us, which we appreciate, and we hope to repay that respect with our on-field contributions,” said receiver Rome Odunze, the ninth overall choice. “It’s been wonderful. Chicago has welcomed us with open arms. “We are doing well.”
Odunze, an All-American at Washington, said it’s “hard to imagine a better situation” to learn from a rookie quarterback. It doesn’t hurt him or Williams that the Bears have two veteran playmakers in DJ Moore and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen.
“Right now, I am watching all of the veterans and coaches. “I’m listening with both ears open and my mouth shut,” Williams explained. “Just sitting back and listening, and when I get to the point where I know everything, when I know how we do it with the culture, the playbook, and what the offensive line, receivers, running backs, tight ends, and things like that, then you can start taking the lead. Then you may take control of everything and move on.”