Tag: Caleb Williams

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Thomas Brown, Bears deepen detail to boost QB Caleb Williams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A stickler for details, Thomas Brown wants to rebuild Caleb Williams’ confidence through a simplification of the Chicago Bears’ offensive scheme.

Brown, promoted to offensive coordinator last week after Shane Waldron was fired, found some success last Sunday when Williams drove the Bears into position for a game-winning field goal that was blocked in a 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

What showed up on film when Williams and Brown huddled to review Week 11 was a tad different from the on-field results.

Williams — the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft still feeling his way through the gradual progression of a franchise quarterback — said the “simplified” offense isn’t one that was whittled down to aid understanding. Rather, Brown brought such a finite degree of detail and thought to each play that his call sheet eventually will become a reference point with tens of dozens of subcontext for Williams to sort in real time.

“We didn’t reinvent the wheel for those three or four days that Thomas became the offensive coordinator and play caller,” Williams said. “I think the decisiveness, all of that came from our meetings and how we’re going to do things. It came from being able to get play calls in faster and being able to get up there and not feel like you’re rushed or not feel like you need to hurry up and get the ball snapped.

“All of these small things — details of routes, details of the blocking, details of the path of running backs and how we’re going to do things — I think that led into all of what happened last week. We didn’t come out with the win, but how we played efficiently and physically, that leads into it.”

Fellow rookie and top-10 pick Rome Odunze felt like he was back at Washington for moments because of the rapidity with which Brown got calls to Williams, who relayed them to the huddle and hurried the team to the line of scrimmage with a newfound command.

There was a different type of clarity and confidence eminating from Brown down through the offensive chain of command on the field.

“As wide receivers, we’re kind of looking at the defense as well and reading those things along with Caleb. So understanding what kind of coverage look we’re getting and what technique the DBs are playing on us allows us to kind of build a plan for that snap. Same thing with Caleb,” Odunze said. “He just has to do it at a higher level. So it helps us all.”

Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen said that in hindsight, the wheels started coming off for the Bears in training camp. In his opinion, Waldron was “too nice,” and he allowed mistakes and lack of detail and focus to become accepted.

“That’s football and that’s life,” Odunze said. “Doing the little things right will eventually show on a bigger stage.”

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts with head coach Matt Eberflus following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sliding Bears vow ‘changes, adjustments’ but back QB Caleb Williams

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For a third consecutive week, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus showed up at Halas Hall on a Monday with a tone of frustration or plans for changes to spark the offense.

But Eberflus maintained on Monday that moving rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams out of the starting lineup is not one of the many changes he’s considering as the Bears shift their attention to the Green Bay Packers.

“Caleb is our starter,” Eberflus said, but declared an evaluation of the process of almost everything the team does offensively would be evaluated on Monday.

“There’s got to be a change and adjustment,” Eberflus said. “There’s also the sight that we’re 4-5, we haven’t played our division yet. … We’re in the process of getting (that evaluation) done. There will be changes and adjustments being made.”

Williams and the Bears were dominated by the New England Patriots (3-7) on Sunday, Chicago’s third consecutive loss, and head into Week 11 with a run of 23 consecutive possessions without a touchdown. The Bears scored three points against the Patriots, one week after putting up nine points at Arizona, and were held under 17 points for the fifth time this season. New England sacked Williams nine times one week after the Cardinals posted six sacks against Chicago.

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron received a vote of confidence coming out of the loss to Arizona. But Eberflus didn’t guarantee Waldron would be calling plays when the Bears host the Packers (6-3) this Sunday.

“The process of that, we’re going through that right now. All those adjustments and changes and things that we’re gonna do, we’re still in the evaluation phase of that,” Eberflus said.

Eberflus, 14-29 since he was hired in 2022, is 0-4 against the Packers. His only win against the NFC North to date was 12-10 at Minnesota last season.

Williams threw four touchdown passes in a Week 6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London and none in the three games since the bye week. He’s on pace to be sacked more than 70 times, and the Bears were 1 of 14 on third down against the Patriots, producing 142 total yards and 2.4 yards per play. Williams had 69 net passing yards when the 51 yards lost on New England’s quarterback sacks were eliminated.

Multiple questions were directed to Eberflus on Monday about whether Waldron would call plays and even remain on his coaching staff. Waldron was selected from a pool of candidates to replace Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator. He was previously with the Seattle Seahawks from 2021-23.

“It’s important that we’re using all the people in the building on the coaching staff, getting all the input, putting our minds together to come up with the best answer,” Eberflus said. “That’s where we are right now. We’ve got to look at that this afternoon as well.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rookie quarterbacks clash as Patriots take on Bears

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A meeting with the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon will carry more meaning than the typical regular-season game for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye, selected third overall in this year’s draft, is set to go up against No. 1 overall pick and fellow signal-caller Caleb Williams in a battle of friends turned foes. The two became familiar with each other before breaking into the NFL, but Maye will try to treat Sunday like business as usual.

“I think both as rookies, coming out as quarterbacks, you spend a lot of time with those guys. You see them, some on visits, some at the combine. Really, with Caleb, I’ve seen him since high school,” Maye said. “We kept up with each other in college. We were friends, and I enjoyed watching him do his thing.

“Now I get a chance to compete. So anytime you’re going against a rookie quarterback in the same class, or any quarterback in your class in general, it’s a little extra.”

Both quarterbacks have already had to face their fair share of adversity, with Maye owning a 1-3 record as a starter while Williams is 4-4.

Most of the trouble that Williams and the Bears (4-4) have run into came over the past two games. Chicago was blown out 29-9 by the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday after falling 18-15 to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 27.

A third straight loss wouldn’t sit right with Bears coach Matt Eberflus.

“Whenever you lose two in a row in the NFL, there’s always a heightened sense of urgency because you have to get that win column back,” Eberflus said. “That was no different than early in the year when we lost a couple in a row. It’s really the same. We have to find answers and find solutions to where we are right now.

“We move in the right direction for three weeks, and then the last couple, we have to make sure we find answers right now moving into this week.”

New England (2-7) nearly pulled off a miracle last Sunday, forcing overtime against the Tennessee Titans when Maye escaped multiple defenders to lob a game-tying 5-yard touchdown pass to Rhamondre Stevenson on the final play of regulation. The extra point made it 17-17.

However, Nick Folk booted a 25-yard field goal to put Tennessee in front in the extra session, then Maye threw a game-ending pick three plays later.

It was the third turnover of the contest for Maye, who knows that he has to be sharper against Chicago.

“I think the Bears’ defense, they’re always going to be a physical defense,” Maye said. “They’re good up front. They have some good edge guys. I feel like every D-line has got some good guys on the edge. They’re going to go after the football; we’re preaching ball security.”

The Patriots could be without safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and linebacker Christian Elliss (abdomen) on Sunday. Both players missed practice on Wednesday, while defensive end Keion White (knee) was among those limited.

Six injured Bears missed practice on Wednesday, including safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (pectoral) and defensive back Jaylon Jones (shoulder). Defensive end Montez Sweat (shin) practiced in a limited capacity, as did four others.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Coach: QB Jayden Daniels (ribs) to play, barring setback

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will start Sunday against the Chicago Bears, barring a setback in pregame warmups, coach Dan Quinn told CBS Sports.

Quinn said Daniels looked good in practice Friday as the rookie recovered from a rib injury he suffered in the first quarter of a 40-7 blowout of the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.

Daniels had been listed as questionable.

A Daniels start means a showdown between the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft: No. 1 Caleb Williams, the quarterback of the Bears (4-2), and Daniels, the No. 2 overall selection by the Commanders (5-2).

In seven games (all starts) this season, Daniels has completed 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 372 yards and four scores on 66 carries.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) leaves the field during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

QBs headline Bears’ visit to Washington, matchup of top picks in peril

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The top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft — quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels — are scheduled to meet Sunday when the Chicago Bears visit the Washington Commanders.

If they both actually take the field is yet to be determined. It’s a homecoming for top draft pick Williams, who grew up in the Washington area.

Chicago (4-2) is coming off a bye while the Commanders (5-2) cruised to a 40-7 victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers last Sunday.

Daniels injured his ribs while falling at the end of a 46-yard run on the opening play of the Commanders’ first drive against Carolina. He finished the drive, which ended with a field goal, but showed signs of discomfort and left the game.

Coach Dan Quinn said Daniels is week-to-week, but the hope is the rookie quarterback can practice by the end of the week and be ready Sunday.

“He’ll continue in all the meetings and our individual stuff. He’ll go through that, and he’ll get treatment today,” Quinn said on Wednesday. “He’ll continue to progress throughout today and tomorrow, and I’ll update you guys after Friday’s practice, and go from there.”

If Daniels can’t go, veteran backup Marcus Mariota will face the Bears’ fifth-ranked defense. Against the Panthers, Mariota came on to start the second series and completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’d expect nothing else of him,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “He’s been a leader since he got here. He’s really helped Jayden along, and we’ve really built some camaraderie with him as well.”

The injury has been the only thing able to slow Daniels. The 23-year-old has completed 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniels has 372 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Williams, 22, has been impressive during his rookie campaign as well, completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,317 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Bears scored 95 points in their three wins heading into the bye. Williams is focused on picking up where they left off.

“The flow of it is us being the flow, understanding the flow and us staying in it,” he said. “We gotta be a little bit better at the deep ball and things like that, myself, and the first quarter, we gotta come out and be better. We’ve scored a bunch in the second, third and fourth quarter, but first quarter for sure, we gotta be better.”

D’Andre Swift leads the Bears with 325 yards rushing (3.6 yards per attempt), while DJ Moore has 31 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

The Commanders’ offense ranks tied for first in points per game (31.1) and fourth in the NFL with 384.1 yards per game.

“It’s a similar offense when you watch the offenses,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of Daniels and Mariota. “Of course, they’re different type of players in terms of who they are quarterback-wise. Our plan will be our plan and we’ll adjust. We’ll have contingency plans for who’s in there but we’re going to stick with what we’re doing.”

Washington is averaging 165.4 yards per game on the ground led by Brian Robinson, who has gained 396 yards (4.7 yards per carry).

That offense will be tested Sunday. Chicago’s defense ranks fifth in the NFL, allowing just 292 yards per game. The Bears are allowing just 16.8 points per game and have not surrendered over 21 points in 12 consecutive games dating back to last season.

A pair of Bears — cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) — did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) carries the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Caleb Williams (4 TDs), Bears jolt Jaguars in London

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Rookie Caleb Williams tossed a career-best four touchdown passes to lead the Chicago Bears to a 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London.

Williams continued to impress, completing 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and an interception. He also ran for 56 yards on four attempts.

His four scoring tosses helped the Bears (4-2) win their third game in a row.

It was Williams’ third multi-touchdown performance in his past four starts. He finished with a 124.4 passer rating.

Jacksonville (1-5) failed to put together back-to-back wins after snapping a four-game losing streak last week.

Trevor Lawrence completed 23 of 35 passes for 234 yards and threw two touchdown passes and an interception. The pick led to a 1-yard touchdown by D’Andre Swift early in the fourth quarter to give the Bears their final points of the game.

Chicago recorded four sacks, including three on Lawrence before he was replaced with 3:21 left by Mac Jones.

Swift paced the Bears on the ground with 91 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Williams spread the ball around effectively to eight different pass catchers. Tight end Cole Kmet led Chicago with five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, including two in the first half to stake the Bears take a 14-3 lead at intermission.

Keenan Allen also caught five passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns in the second half to help the Bears break the game open.

Lawrence’s two touchdown passes went to Gabe Davis, who caught five passes for 45 yards.

Lawrence’s top target, however, was tight end Evan Engram, who caught a game-high 10 passes for 102 yards after missing the Jaguars’ previous four games due to a hamstring injury.

The Bears have a bye next week before visiting the Washington Commanders on Oct. 27.

The Jaguars will play in London again next Sunday, this time at Wembley Stadium against the New England Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass in warm ups with head coach Matt Eberflus looking on before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Bears back rookie QB, expect more from stingy defense

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Bears coach Matt Eberflus dismissed any flaws evident in evaluating the NFL debut of No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams in Chicago’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

“My evaluation was he took care of the football. I know he had two sacks, but he really took care of the football,” Eberflus said Monday.

Williams said he celebrated with teammates in the locker room and doesn’t care what the statistics indicated about his play on Sunday, when he went 14-for-29 passing for 93 yards and a 55.7 QB rating.

Eberflus credited Williams with knowing where not to throw the ball based on coverage reads to assist the rally from a 17-0 deficit with 24 unanswered points.

“That was a difference in the game,” Eberflus said.

The Bears had 11 total first downs and didn’t score an offensive touchdown.

Chicago’s defense is helping change the narrative around the Bears, who now have a six-game home winning streak. Sunday’s victory was the seventh consecutive game dating to last season the Bears held their opponent to 20 or fewer points. Their record in that span is 5-2.

“It was one of those dirty wins that we really needed,” safety Kevin Byard said Monday. He said no one in the locker room was surprised by the defensive showing or the playmakers who helped flip the game in the second half.

The Bears pack their bags this week for their first primetime appearance at Houston to face the 2023 No. 2 pick, C.J. Stroud, and the Texans (1-0).

As defensive coordinator of the Colts, Eberflus turned down a request from the Texans to interview for the head-coaching opening in January 2021. Days later, the Texans hired Nick Caserio from the Patriots to run the front office.

Eberflus, who interviewed with the Chargers and Jets that offseason, was hired by general manager Ryan Poles in January 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams poses for photos during a press conference in the Astor Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

USC retires Caleb Williams’ No. 13, restores Reggie Bush’s No. 5

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A pair of Heisman Trophy winners were further cemented into Southern California’s legacy Thursday, as the Trojans retired quarterback Caleb Williams’ No. 13 jersey and running back Reggie Bush’s No. 5.

The program revealed Williams’ jersey retirement on a social media video that featured music artists Snoop Dogg and John Legend along with USC coach Lincoln Riley, Trojans women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins and a host of Williams’ teammates.

Williams became USC’s eighth and most recent Heisman winner when he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022, his first year with the Trojans. The eight Heisman Trophy winners are the only Trojans to have had their numbers retired. Williams was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears this April after piling up 8,170 passing yards and 72 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions in his two seasons at USC.

Bush had his number retired for the second time. USC removed his number in 2010 following NCAA sanctions against the program involving Bush, who received improper benefits during his tenure with the Trojans.

Bush had his 2005 Heisman Trophy stripped and said he did not want to be associated with USC football if his award was not returned to him. The Heisman Trust did just that, reinstating the trophy to Bush in April, and Bush is expected to lead the Trojans onto the field before a game this season, per ESPN.

Bush averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 13.7 yards per catch during his electrifying three years at USC from 2003-05. He racked up 4,470 yards and 38 touchdowns from scrimmage along with four kick/punt return TDs.

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Hope: GM Ryan Poles, QB Caleb Williams determined to make Bears winners

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CHICAGO — In the NFL, nobody wins without a game-changing quarterback. The Chicago Bears understand the nuance of that statement impossibly well.

Credit general manager Ryan Poles for knowing when to fold ‘em, setting the Bears up for the league’s equivalent of winning the jackpot.

Poles positioned the Bears to contend with a three-year plan focused on finding the right quarterback and surrounding him with a supporting cast that could carry its own weight.

Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, is the grand prize ready for his grand unveiling at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Expectations in Chicago and beyond are through the roof for Williams, who revealed snippets of the elite talent that drew Poles and the Bears to him during an abbreviated run in the preseason that included a 44-yard touchdown run and a rapid connection with draft classmate Rome Odunze.

Poles, an undrafted offensive lineman with the Bears who became a scout for the Chiefs under Scott Pioli in 2009, was in Kansas City when Patrick Mahomes was drafted in 2017. Chicago infamously drafted North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 pick, eight spots ahead of Mahomes.

A number of skills and traits Williams possesses pushed the former Oklahoma and USC quarterback to the spotlight peak of the draft. He’s regularly compared to current starters — Mahomes and Justin Herbert of the Chargers to name a few — which is one indication of why the Bears believe they could be headed to unchartered territory. No Bears quarterback has delivered a 4,000-yard season or had more than 30 touchdown passes.

To land Williams, Poles benefited from a shrewd plan requiring the willingness to hit reset if Justin Fields failed to win the team over and progress in 2023. To prepare the launchpad for the franchise, Poles traded the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, passing on the chance to select Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud, and started building a foundation for the potential shot at scoring a franchise quarterback in April.

First, he scouted Williams and USC up close and personal. He was there when Williams paused his pregame warmup, sprinted to the sideline and shook hands with Joe Montana. That was in October, and signs were starting to add up that the Carolina Panthers might oblige — sinking to the bottom of the NFL standings to maximize the value of the 2024 first-round pick they gave the Bears the year prior. Carolina limped to a 2-15 final record, the league’s worst, and the Bears were exactly where Poles wanted to be.

In meetings with Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, the part of the evaluation that rang in echoes was Williams’ view of being a potential savior in Chicago. He didn’t shy away. In the same way the 49ers found cool in Montana and the Bengals returned to the Super Bowl with their own one-of-a-kind Joe, Williams reminded the Bears he was built for the moment.

The lights come up Sunday in Williams’ much-anticipated debut against the Tennessee Titans, when Poles won’t be the only one with his finger on the pulse of the QB.

“I kind of say it’s their heartbeat,” Poles said. “Does their heartbeat skyrocket in those pressure situations? Or do you see this calm? We’re not going to know until we’re in it, in terms of the pro side of it. But that’s what I look for. I want the game to slow down, for there to be a level of poise, and again, I’ll go back to is there that same combination of taking what a defense gives you, leaning on your talent and then when you’re forced to be special, be special.”

Eberflus found Williams to be the antithesis of public perception labels of him in their first meetings before the draft. Called a prima donna, pariah and diva, all Williams pointed to was “getting to work” and “proving himself.”

“We’ve all been (on) teams before, but there’s people that come into those situations and they try too hard. It’s like, man, it’s awkward. It’s hard to buy into that. Then there’s guys that they can navigate that so naturally because they’re authentic, and it’s real. And that’s what he’s done,” Poles said.

Poles said it’s hard to predict what Mahomes might have done as a rookie. He sat most of the season behind Alex Smith. A big part of the reason Williams is jumping directly into the fire is the assembled cast around him with All-Pro Keenan Allen, No. 1 WR DJ Moore and Odunze sure to bring security when plans must move off-script.

Moore said Williams is “easy to follow” after watching him work. He was voted one of eight team captains for 2024, and teammates pointed back to what the former Heisman Trophy winner said at his first minicamp.

“To be a great leader, you’ve got to learn how to follow first,” he said. “Right now, I’m following all the vets, following all the coaches. I’m listening. Having both ears open, and my mouth shut. Just kind of sitting back and listening. And then when I get to the point of when I learn everything, when I learn the ways of how we do the culture, the playbook, and what the offensive line, receivers, running backs, and tight ends are all doing then you can start taking the lead.”

Front-office executives polled by ESPN picked Williams as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and odds are in line with that thinking with Williams ahead of No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels of the Commanders by a wide margin.

Daniels and Bo Nix, selected 12th overall by the Broncos, are also ticketed to start and fix long-standing leaks at the position for their teams.

Drake Maye (third, Patriots), Michael Penix Jr. (eighth, Falcons) and J.J. McCarthy (10th, Vikings) are viewed as franchise quarterbacks down the line.

Not every franchise has the fortune of drafting first in a year with a talent of Williams’ kind.

And not every franchise agrees with the premise of playing the “best” player regardless of experience level. The Patriots said Maye “outplayed” journeyman Jacoby Brissett in the preseason, but there’s another side of the long view with QB development. Not every quarterback is blessed with the supporting cast Poles collected before clearing Williams for launch.

For now, Maye is heading up the “show team,” coach Jerod Mayo said, and will be asked to learn by teaching certain elements of the game plan. Mayo said he’s confident that is an effective introductory method because he used it himself as a top-10 draft pick of the Patriots.

“He’ll have certain projects and things like that that he’ll be responsible for. In saying that, he’ll still go through just a normal game week each and every week, and that’s how it’s going to be as of today,” Mayo said.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Bears QB Caleb Williams named a team captain

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Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was announced Monday as one of eight team captains for the Chicago Bears.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, already has developed a bond with his teammates, general manager Ryan Poles said last week.

“It’s fairly natural; it’s not forced,” Poles said of Williams’ rapport in the locker room. “We’ve all been on teams before … there’s people that come into those situations and they try too hard. It’s awkward. It’s hard to buy into that. Then there’s guys that can navigate that so naturally because they’re authentic and real, and that’s what he’s done.”

Williams, 22, played his final two college seasons at Southern California. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022.

Other captains for the Bears are wide receiver DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, and defensive backs Kevin Byard and Jaylon Johnson.

Williams and the Bears open the season Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans.

–Field Level Media