Caleb Williams Reaffirms Commitment to the Bears
The Chicago Bears quarterback, Caleb Williams, defended his commitment to the organization that selected him with the number 1 pick in the 2024 draft. His statements came after the second OTA practice open to the media.Williams offered an initial statement of nearly four minutes, addressing his feelings about the Bears in relation to the pre-draft process.
The content of the book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” by Seth Wickersham revealed that Williams and his father, Carl, considered ways for the former Heisman Trophy winner to avoid being drafted by the Bears.
Williams admitted that the book excerpts have been a “distraction” in the last two weeks, and that’s why he wanted to address it publicly.During the press conference, the 23-year-old spoke about the team’s history regarding the quarterback position and how, “as everyone knows, it’s a fact that there hasn’t been a 4,000-yard passer [in Chicago]”
Williams didn’t deny his initial skepticism about the Bears’ history in developing franchise quarterbacks and the “thoughts” and “ideas” that he and his family considered about where his NFL career could begin.
Williams stated that after visiting the Bears in April 2024, his desire to come to Chicago was strengthened.
I wanted to come here and be the guy and be a part and be a reason why the Chicago Bears change this,” Williams said. “The last thing that was said in all of that I think is the most important, that I wanted to be here. I love being here.
Caleb Williams
Williams’ rookie season with the Bears resulted in a 5-12 record, coinciding with the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in Week 11 and the departure of head coach Matt Eberflus three weeks later. Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, but was sacked 68 times (the most in the league) and finished 31st in QBR (46.7).
Despite his reservations about the Bears before being drafted, Williams said there wasn’t a moment he “knew” the season was going to be a failure. However, his father told Wickersham that he believed “Chicago is where quarterbacks go to die.” Williams said he appreciates the support and guidance he receives from his father, but that Carl Williams doesn’t speak for him.
Wickersham’s book also highlights the disconnect between Williams and the former Chicago coaching staff. Sometimes, according to the book, Williams would watch films on his own, without instruction or guidance from the coaches.
Bears coach Ben Johnson spoke last week about his own desire to change the perception of quarterback development in Chicago. The first step in achieving this is to work with Williams to improve the quarterback’s body language in games.
