Draft experts have worked hard to convey how good Caleb Williams can be to NFL fans for months. They’ve made comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers. Chicago Bears fans certainly love hearing that, but it still didn’t quite hit home how serious of an acquisition this kid could be for the franchise and the city. Sure enough, HBO and NFL Films found the perfect way to nail it during the first episode of Hard Knocks. It came through the usage of a song that Chicago sports fans know by heart.
During the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls were the envy of the basketball world. Led by all-time great Michael Jordan, they won six championships in eight years. One of the things that made their run so memorable was how the team established itself as a cultural phenomenon. By far, their best was during player introductions, when the lights would go out and “Sirius” by the Allan Parson Project would start blaring across the arena. Then announcer Ray Clay, in a loud, gravelly voice, would announce each player to a raucous crowd.
Williams got the same treatment during his introduction on Hard Knocks. It was predictably amazing.
It is incredibly bold to indicate that he can have the same franchise-altering impact as Jordan. However, Williams hasn’t shied away from that. Upon arrival, he stated that his goal was to chase Tom Brady’s record of seven Super Bowl victories. The idea of becoming as big of a sports icon in Chicago as MJ wouldn’t be something he fears. Whether he gets there is to be determined. Still, it is clear the young man expects greatness from himself. Plenty of others see the same potential as well.
If he lives up to the hype, there is a possibility Caleb Williams actually exceeds the impact Jordan had. Remember, as much as Chicago loves the Bulls, it was always a Bears town first. The city has been starved for a great quarterback for decades. Williams feels like the closest they’ve been to that possibility, maybe ever. The team has worked hard to provide help, too. D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet will be his target. If the offensive line doesn’t outright suck, the kid should produce immediately.
