Caleb Williams is already turning heads in Chicago.
Caleb Williams with Bears fans in background.

There is a whole lot of excitement surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into 2024 thanks much in part to incoming rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft last month.

Williams is considered a generational prospect by many, and some have even likened him to Patrick Mahomes.

 

That’s probably going a bit too far and placing way too much pressure on the kid, but it just gives you an idea of how much hype there is around Williams in Chicago.

Well, thanks to a new video of Williams firing passes at Bears organized team activities, the hype train just grew even larger.

https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1793321394085752833/vid/avc1/720×720/U1T34EkaHr1Ib07u.mp4?tag=16

Here, we see Williams acting as if he is making an off-schedule play rolling out of the pocket, eventually hitting tight end Gerald Everett with a perfectly placed throw. That was a great catch by Everett, too.

We may be seeing a whole lot of that during Williams’ rookie campaign.

Caleb Williams is set up for success

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws the ball during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.

Remember: this was supposed to be the Carolina Panthers’ selection, but the Bears acquired this pick from the Panthers last spring when they sent their own No. 1 pick to Carolina in a blockbuster trade. The Panthers used that draft choice to take Bryce Young.

Chicago went 7-10 this past season, going 7-6 over its final 13 games. So, it was already a respectable ballclub to begin with.

The Bears have also done a fine job supplying Williams with ample talent heading into his debut season. Chicago already had DJ Moore at wide receiver, but it also added Keenan Allen via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers and took Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick of the draft. Plus, the Bears signed Everett (who will be joining Cole Kmet at tight end) and running back D’Andre Swift in free agency.

Basically, Williams will have no shortage of weapons in his rookie year. Chicago’s offensive line may still be a bit questionable, but it should be decent enough to at least provide Williams with enough time to throw. Plus, Williams is very mobile, which will widen the margin of error for the Bears’ offensive linemen.

On the flip side, though, this means that there is a lot of pressure on Williams. If he struggles in 2024, people can’t use the “well he didn’t have enough help” argument as an excuse. He has plenty of pieces around him, and Chicago also has a solid defense that should keep the Bears in games.

Of course, growing pains are expected for Williams. He is a rookie, after all, and expecting him to have a season like C.J. Stroud right off the bat is pretty unfair.

But, Bears are very hungry for any modicum of success. Chicago has made just two playoff appearances over the last 13 years and has not won a playoff game since January 2011. The Bears have also never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single season, and Williams is the one expected to break the mold.

We’ll see what Williams has in store for everyone come September.