Caleb Williams is now officially a member of the Chicago Bears. As expected, they made him the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from Detroit Thursday evening.
There is going to be a ton of drama later in the draft. But that was not the case with Chicago on the clock. We knew for months that general manager Ryan Poles was angling for Williams. That was magnified when he traded away Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers back in March.
For the long-downtrodden Bears organization, there is renewed hope that they have finally found that franchise quarterback after existing in purgatory for so long.
The Heisman winner at USC back in 2022, some view Williams as a generational talent. It’s why he was the consensus top prospect in a loaded class at quarterback.
- Caleb Williams college stats: 67% completion, 10,082 passing yards, 966 rushing yards, 110 total TD, 14 INT
Outside of those basic stats, Williams’ talent on the field is obviously. He has the strongest all-around arm in the 2024 NFL Draft. That is to say, being able to throw on the move and getting it down the field in a hurry. Williams has an ability to go through progressions that makes him pro-ready, too. Add in his elite running capability, and there is a reason Chicago took him No. 1.
Related: Updated 2024 NFL Draft tracker
Caleb Williams set up to succeed immediately with the Chicago Bears
- Chicago added Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in a blockbuster trade earlier this offseason. All Allen did during his 11-year run in Southern California was average nearly 1,000 yards. He put up 108 receptions for 1,243 yards a season ago. Allen now teams up with fellow Pro Bowler D.J. Moore at wide receiver for Williams. Talk about an elite duo for the young man.
- Signing D’Andre Swift in NFL free agency was also a huge move for Chicago. It came with the anticipation that the Bears would indeed select Williams with the first pick. A versatile dual-threat back, Swift put up 1,263 total yards for the Philadelphia Eagles a season ago. That included catching 39 passes. He’ll provide balance on offense.
- The Bears’ defense is absolutely stacked, and won’t force Williams to go it alone. That’s dissimilar to what we saw from 2023 first-round pick Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers a season ago. Chicago’s defense is anchored by Pro Bowlers at the edge and cornerback in Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson, respectively.