Quarterback Caleb Williams had a lot of eyes on him during Southern California’s pro day on Wednesday in Los Angeles, including those of new Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Allen’s attendance is noteworthy considering Williams is the presumptive favorite to be selected by the Bears with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft next month.
The two shared a quick embrace on the sideline Wednesday. If the Bears select Williams with the top overall pick on April 25 in Detroit, well, they’ll be spending even more time together.
“Hell of an athlete,” Allen said of Williams earlier this week. “Obviously, he can make tremendous plays with his feet, with his arm. Looks like he knows the game really well. Really good.”
Williams was quick to return the compliment on Wednesday.
“I’ve known Keenan for a little bit now, hung out,” Williams said, per NBC Sports Chicago. “He was at the Chargers. Now he’s at the Bears, he’s here for a fourth-round pick, which is crazy. He’s a beast, a good guy, and he can give you a lot of knowledge.”
Speaking of conversations, Bears general manager Ryan Poles was spotted talking with Caleb’s father, Carl, at the pro day, per the Chicago Tribune. Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph also were in attendance on behalf of the Bears.
The Bears are in need of a starting quarterback after trading 2021 first-round selection Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. That pick could become a fourth-rounder if Fields plays at least 50 percent of the snaps for Pittsburgh.
Williams, 22, passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games last season. Those statistics are one year removed from his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2022, when he threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five picks. He also rushed for 21 scores in his two seasons with the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma.
Allen, who turns 32 on April 27, was selected to his sixth Pro Bowl in 2023 when he had a career-high 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games.
–Field Level Media