Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has expressed his commitment to the Chicago Bears despite initial hesitations regarding the team’s history with franchise quarterbacks. Though it was a difficult first year for Eberflus and the Bears, 5-12 capped off a very rough rookie season. Williams confessed that he and his family were dubious about committing to a franchise that his father, Carl Williams, thinks is infamous for crushing quarterback prospects.
At a recent news conference held at the University of Chicago Charter School’s Woodlawn campus, Caleb Williams responded to complaints about the Bears’ history. “There’s adversity that’s going to hit every team every season,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of resilience. His rookie year was riddled with major tragedy. He was sacked a league-high 68 times and finished 31st in Quarterback Rating (QBR), 46.7 being his score.
Carl Williams openly questioned whether Chicago was the right fit for his son, stating, “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.” The family couldn’t have been more pleased. They fought hard to find a loophole to keep Caleb from being drafted by the then Chicago Bears. But after visiting the exec team in Q2 2024, Caleb was convinced. He saw the chance to be a part of the Bears’ renaissance.
“I wanted to come here and be the guy and be a part and be a reason why the Chicago Bears turn this thing around,” Caleb expressed, showcasing his determination to change the narrative surrounding quarterbacks in Chicago. In his rookie year, he passed for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdown passes. With just six intercepts he proved he was a playmaker even on a down year for the team.
Caleb admitted that he has struggled with distractions as he’s made the transition to pro football. In the last week, excepts from Seth Wickersham’s book about his tumultuous life and career have taken the national media by storm. He said all those distractions have been tough but insisted the most important thing is to get back to playing football. “Nobody ever tells me what I should watch,” he said, highlighting his need to continue to control his narrative on camera.
The Bears had their own rocky year, firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in Week 11 and head coach Matt Eberflus three weeks later. Even amid all the turmoil, Williams made a clear statement of his intent to forge ahead. “We are going to take everyone around us, we’re going to elevate them and we’re going to look to forge ahead to what’s next,” he said, highlighting the collective effort required to improve the team’s fortunes.
Caleb was open not just about his journey, but about his relationship with his father. While he values Carl’s guidance and acknowledges him as a “smart man,” he made it clear that he charts his own course. “Actually, I shut my dad down quite a bit,” Caleb remarked. “He has ideas and I’m very fortunate to have a very strong-minded father.”
As Williams prepares for his second season with the Bears, he remains focused on overcoming obstacles and proving that he can thrive in Chicago. He’s dedicated to making sure he learns from what’s happened before and is using the support of his family and his teammates.
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