Caleb Williams already had the Chicago Bears’ attention long before they started on the road to drafting him #1 overall in April. They had almost three full years of college tape to work through. It was primarily elite-level stuff featuring all sorts of big plays. He won a Heisman in 2022 and threw only ten total interceptions at USC. Outside of his slightly short 6’1 stature, there wasn’t much to dislike. Yet GM Ryan Poles understood the reality. Talent alone wouldn’t make him successful in the NFL, especially in Chicago. The Bears had to know if he had the emotional maturity and mental fortitude to handle the highs and lows of pro football.
Reports later claimed that their position on Williams crystalized at the beginning of March. That was around the same time they got to meet him in person for the first time. It took place at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Williams made a good impression, according to all sources. Fans could only go by their word. Not anymore. The newest episode of 1920 Football Drive provided behind-the-scenes footage of Williams’ visit to the Bears’ suite at the combine.
He comes across as outgoing, mature, intelligent, and comfortable in his own skin. It is easy to see why the Bears liked him right away.
Subsequent meetings after the combine all produced the same results. During dinner at his top-30 visit, he won over several Bears locker room leaders. He had a strong work ethic and a constant desire to learn. The arm strength and accuracy are as advertised. The only thing left to do was make the pick. Chicago has received universal praise for their process. They did their homework on Williams for months, never taking shortcuts. Once it was clear he was their guy, they began formulating plans on how to help him. It probably isn’t a coincidence the two picks after he came off the board were a wide receiver (Rome Odunze) and an offensive tackle (Kiran Amegadjie).
Experts widely believe that this is the best situation a #1 pick has ever walked into. Caleb Williams has D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Odunze, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift as his five primary weapons. He also has an offensive line returning four starters and one of the better defenses in the league. It might take time for him to find a footing in the NFL, but nobody would be surprised if he has immediate success. He sounds like somebody who is ready for the shot.
