Bears select Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick of 2024 NFL Draft
A new face of the franchise has entered the Windy City
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Chicago Bears did what was expected of them, taking USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
For months, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner has been pegged to the Bears. It moved to a mortal lock when Justin Fields, the team's previous first-round pick in 2021, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month.
Now, with the pick officially in, a new face of the franchise enters the "Windy City," and Williams has the pedigree to turn the tides of the organization.
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USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) plays catch on the sideline during a break in play during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans on November 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coming out of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. as a five-star recruit, Williams college career began at Oklahoma in 2021, where he threw for 1,912 yards with 21 touchdowns to four interceptions over 11 games.
When Lincoln Riley took over as the Trojans’ head coach in 2022, Williams followed him out to Southern California and his production skyrocketed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Williams would throw for 4,537 yards with 42 touchdowns to five interceptions and a 66.6% completion rate during his Heisman season. He capped his incredible campaign with 462 yards and five touchdowns despite a bowl loss to Tulane, 46-45.
The Trojans and Williams didn’t see the same success in 2023, as he threw for 3,633 yards with 30 touchdowns to five interceptions.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Caleb Williams #QB14 of Southern California smiles during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
USC lost its final four games of the season, and Williams infamously cried with his mom in the stands on Nov. 4, 2023 following a loss to Washington, where he had three touchdowns and 312 yards passing.
Williams caught a ton of flak for that, but Williams didn’t believe it was a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to his want to win.
"I was sitting over there, beat up, I was defeated," he recalled in the moment. "But then I hopped up, and I touched my mom, and I just lost it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Williams was projected to at least be a top three pick in the draft, and he declared for it following the end of the 2023 season.
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) waves to fans while leaving the field after the Trojans 52-42 loss to Washington at L.A. Memorial Coliseum November 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. ((Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Williams has everything he needs in Chicago, and fans are hoping there’s more wins in the future with him at quarterback.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Bears have won just 16 games over the past three seasons.
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