LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — It was in late November that quarterback Caleb Williams shifted his focus to preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. He put his head down, started training for the next level and focused on himself as he prepared to hear his name called at No. 1 overall.
That moment came on April 25, when the Bears selected him at the top of the NFL Draft. One day later, Williams touched down in Chicago and arrived at Halas Hall as the Bears’ newly appointed starting quarterback, a 22-year-old tasked with becoming the leader of the franchise. There's great pressure on Williams, but it’s a burden that he embraces.
More than anything since joining the Bears, Williams has simply enjoyed being part of the team, which was an element he missed in his time between USC and before entering the NFL.
“Not being on a team, you realize how much you miss it and being in the locker room in those small moments,” Williams said. “So, making sure we're taking advantage of that. That's one of the biggest. And then also just gaining and building more confidence and trust throughout the Bears and everybody here but also myself within the offense, building that belief, that trust, that confidence and swagger to go out there and play.”
Late Wednesday morning, the Bears finished a brief workout on the back practice fields at Halas Hall with only rookies in attendance. The work was an extension of OTAs, and it marked the culmination of Williams’ eventful first offseason in the NFL.
The Bears began familiarizing Williams with their scheme prior to the NFL Draft, as they held a clear conviction weeks in advance that they'd make him the No. 1 overall pick. From that point on, Williams has worked to gain a firm understanding of how to lead Chicago's offense forward.
“What he's gotten to do this offseason has been outstanding,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said. “Taking him from knowing just a little bit about the scheme from that pro day (in late March) at USC all the way to where he is now, and it's really good. He's been able to really refine his understanding of the scheme.”
In early April, a few weeks before the NFL Draft, Williams led a workout in Los Angeles with a trio of receivers in Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. By then, Williams had long known he was headed for Chicago. Allen and Moore were already Bears, while Odunze was a draft prospect who was uncertain where he'd land. Even so, Williams wanted Odunze to join him at the workout, and he was thrilled when the Bears selected Odunze at No. 9 overall.
Williams is planning to once again lead Allen, Moore and Odunze through private workouts over the next month before they report to Halas Hall for training camp in July.
“He’s a leader, pure and simple,” Odunze said of Williams. “He leads through example. He leads vocally as well. To be around him as rookie to rookie, we’re both learning the process of this thing and both learning to be in this environment and this new setting, which is unique to both of us. But for him to be able to step in there with the veterans as well and command those guys and be a leader for the whole team in general is impressive to me and something that he’s been doing consistently. So, we follow him and we go with him on whatever he wants to accomplish that day. Each and every day, it’s excellence and determination. It’s been an honor.”
The offseason program began for Williams with rookie minicamp in early May, when he led a group that featured more tryout players than actual teammates. That setting can be a challenge for quarterbacks as they attempt to get a makeshift offensive core lined up and operating efficiently.
The true test for Williams came during three weeks of OTAs, which included much of the veteran core around him offensively, and in a three-day minicamp at Halas Hall last week.
Williams was required to take the concepts from the classroom to the line of scrimmage and lead an offense that carries high expectations. There were days in which Williams was calm and comfortable and others in which a talented defense got the better of the offense.
The Bears will hold their first practice of training camp on July 20 at Halas Hall. Williams has until then to continue preparing himself for the demands of his rookie campaign.
“It’s about continuing to own the system, the operation,” Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “With so many different things, you’re new to a system. Whether it’s the new coaches, new rookies, new free agents that have come in the door, the players that have been here in the past. There’s a lot of similarities in so many different offensive systems, but they’re not all exactly the same. The ownership of what every word means, with the goal being when we come to training camp and I say a certain term that clicks in right now in Caleb’s brain, he knows exactly what we’re talking about. We’re on the same page.”
Rather than signing a veteran quarterback to challenge Williams in the offseason and training camp, the Bears immediately tabbed Williams as their starter under center. While understanding Williams will make mistakes along the way, the Bears took that approach because they believe it will be best for his development.
Williams is a self-proclaimed perfectionist who has had to manage his own expectations while knowing well that the Bears have a roster that’s ready to compete. He’s the leader of a team that boasts great hope for the future.
With that in mind, Williams and the Bears feel pleased with what they accomplished this offseason.
“Right now, we’re building, bonding and believing in each other,” Williams said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.