As anticipated, the Bears chose USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first
overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.
With so many skilled quarterbacks in the draft class, Williams was generally
regarded as the best prospect. Over three seasons at Oklahoma (2021) and USC (2022–2023),
the 6-1, 216-pound player participated in 37 collegiate games with 33 starts.
He completed 66.9% of his throws for 9,782 yards with 93 touchdowns and 14
interceptions and ran for 966 yards and 27 scores on 289 runs.
In 2022, Williams was a sophomore at USC and won the Heisman Trophy after
running for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns on 113 tries and throwing for 4,537
yards with 42 touchdowns and five
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The Washington, D.C., native ran for 142 yards and 11 touchdowns on 97 tries
last year, in addition to throwing for 3,333 yards with 30 touchdowns and five
interceptions.
Williams was chosen by the Bears with a choice they acquired from the Panthers
in a trade last season. In exchange for receiver DJ Moore, 2023 first- and
second-round selections, a 2024 first-round selection that ended up being No. 1
overall, and a 2025 second-round selection, the Bears sent Carolina the No. 1
pick in the 2023 draft.
Ryan Poles watched hours of video while Regarding Williams and the other elite
quarterback prospects in the draft, the general manager of the Bears informed
reporters in late February that he planned to spend time getting to know them
as individuals through combined interviews, pro day exercises, and trips to
Halas Hall by the top 30 players.
Poles reiterated his remarks from his news conference at the end of the season,
saying, "The person is a huge part of it
at the moment. "I've discussed that a
lot. What components are there? The group in charge? How do they respond to
pressure? In a metropolis the size of ours, how do they manage pressure? Many
of those elements are involved.It's about spending time on the assignment and
learning about the person's characteristics. My team has been accumulating a
ton of information lately. about teammates, coaches, and the like, but you have
to spend time getting to know someone in order to comprehend their neural
circuitry."
The Bears were really impressed with Williams throughout that process.
When you talk to his teammates, they don't like him; they love him," Poles
said. "He intentionally leads, bringing people together via his
leadership. The personnel are in the same boat. Finding someone who thinks he
can achieve the greatest heights but doesn't like him or even love him is
difficult for me. The response has been positive.
"He's all ball, wants to work, wants to improve, and wants the team to
win." Ryan Poles, general manager of the Bears, on quarterback Caleb
Williams
When Poles inquired about a Williams leadership example, he stated, "We
seek men who can uplift others. This NIL arrangement has
advantages and disadvantages, but one great thing is that you do have the
resources to treat your O-line to supper. You see what the NFL men get at
Christmas. Thus, what you really want in that role is someone who can truly
bring those men together, spend that time with them, and forge a relationship,
and he has done that."
Williams had dinner with a sizable group of Bears players, including Poles,
assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, coach Matt Eberflus, offensive
coordinator Shane Waldron, quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, passing game
coordinator Thomas Brown, and a few USC receivers, before his Pro Day on
March 20 in Los Angeles.
For Poles, the most important lesson from that excursion was that Williams is
considered "really mature."
"One of my guys kind of bumped me on it, which I think is rare these days
for a 22-year-old; he never touched his phone," remarked Poles.
"Really intentional with his conversations and talking about his interests
and things that he likes to do."
Williams paid the Bears a visit at Halas Hall later in the pre-draft phase.
Poles remarked, "Just another touchpoint." When men come in, you can make some installs, take a break, and then have them reinstall back to you in terms of recollection. I've done this throughout the years. Develop
a rapport with the coaches. Verify that compatibility exists there."
Williams allegedly had dinner with DJ Moore, Cole, and other Bears veterans
when he was in Chicago. Edwards, T.J., and Kmet. When asked how Williams
affected the players, Poles responded, "Very smart guy." He seemed
like a pretty kind, down-to-earth, and easy-going buddy."
"He's all ball, wants to work, wants to get better, and wants to win as a
team," Poles said. That's the most important thing for him—outside
achievement. The most important question is, "Does he fit in with what
we're trying to do and our culture?" And he showed every indication of
doing so, so that was encouraging.
During a recent visit, Ryan Clark, the co-host of "The Pivot Podcast," questioned Williams about joining the Bears.
"I want to play for 20 years in one location and pursue just one player,
No. 12 (Tom Brady)," said Williams. "I want to live in a ball-loving
community. I'm excited since that's all I've heard about Chicago thus far.
As an upcoming rookie, chasing an all-time great quarterback with seven Super
Bowl victories is undoubtedly a tall objective. However, Poles are content to
aspire to that high.
Polish responded, "I adore it." "We should all have lofty objectives.
We aim to win several championships, which is one of our lofty objectives. When
you have these objectives, you're more deliberate. You need to practice specific things and live a certain way to achieve goals. I get excited if everything
else falls into line behind that.
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