The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft, and the general consensus is that they will be taking USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the pick.
There had been some rumblings that Williams did not want to play for the Bears, particularly considering that his hometown Washington Commanders pick second.
However, Williams put that narrative to bed with the Scouting Combine in full swing this week.
“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited,” Williams told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I’m just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they’d be excited.”
Chicago is currently employing Justin Fields under center, but it’s looking more and more likely that the Bears will ultimately trade Fields and then draft Williams, who is viewed as the best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class.
“At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say,” added Williams. “Regardless of how I feel, I’m not pushing an agenda of, ‘Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don’t want to go.’ I’m excited for whatever comes.”
During his final season at USC, Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 68.6 percent of his passes. He also punched in 11 rushing touchdowns.
This marks the second year in a row that Chicago has boasted the top pick in the draft.
Last spring, the Bears ultimately traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers and received wide receiver D.J. Moore and the Panthers’ 2024 first-round draft pick as part of the package.
As a result, Chicago owns the No. 1 selection yet again, and this time, it does not look like it will be trading it.
Caleb Williams will probably have to get used to the Windy City whether he likes it or not.
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