Caleb Williams, the former USC quarterback and the player many believe the Chicago Bears will take with the No. 1 overall pick, opted out of throwing or participating in workouts at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. However, he did engage in the crucial interview process, affirming his position as the consensus top pick in the forthcoming NFL Draft.
Speculation is rife that the Chicago Bears will select Williams with the first overall pick, a move that would hardly surprise anyone at this juncture. Consequently, Williams fielded questions about the possibility of joining the Bears, given their current circumstances, should he indeed be chosen by Chicago.
“The Bears were 7-10 last year, and that’s pretty good for a team that has the first pick. And they’ve got a good defense, they got good players on offense, and it’s pretty exciting if you can go into a situation like that.”
The Bears secured the coveted first overall pick after trading out of the same position in the 2023 NFL Draft with the Carolina Panthers. This exchange netted them wide receiver D.J. Moore, as well as Carolina’s 2023 first and second-round picks, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick.
In addition to the Panthers’ top selection, the Bears hold their own ninth overall pick, along with four other picks across the NFL Draft. This wealth of draft capital affords them numerous avenues to explore this offseason, including an anticipated trade involving quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields, whom Chicago drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has started 38 games over the past three seasons, during which the Bears posted a 16-35 record. With general manager Ryan Poles hinting at the potential of a generational talent like Williams, many anticipate Fields’ tenure with the franchise concluding after the last season, marking the ushering in of a new era at the quarterback position.
Williams also fielded inquiries about Chicago’s somewhat checkered history at the quarterback position and whether this would pose any concerns for him should he join the Bears.
“Not at all, I don’t compare myself to other guys that’s there or have been there,” Williams said. “I think I’m my own player and I tend to like to create history and rewrite history.”
Having rewritten USC’s record books during his Heisman Trophy-winning 2022 season, where he shattered numerous program records for passing yards, touchdowns, total offense, and total touchdowns, Caleb Williams aims to make a similar impact in Chicago should the Bears select him with the top overall pick, as widely anticipated.
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