The Chicago Bears come into the new season with as much hype around the team as ever. After drafting star rookie quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Chicago is buzzing to see what the young signal-caller can do.
Williams has all the talent a team would want at the quarterback position and he can make every throw on the field. After winning the Heisman Trophy in college while with the USC Trojans, Williams is looking to make his mark on the NFL.
Chicago has done what it can to surround Williams with solid offensive weapons, including making a trade for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. However, Bears chairman George McCaskey wants to pump the brakes just a little on all the hype around the new draft pick.
“Typically, the No. 1 pick in the draft comes into a situation where it’s going to take a while for things to come together,” McCaskey said Thursday, via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. “Caleb’s got a lot of support — a solid defense, good receivers, good offensive line, a good running game, tight ends. But I hope people will be patient. There are going to be growing pains. He’s going to make mistakes. That’s part of the learning process for any young quarterback.”
It may take some time for Williams to fully learn the NFL. It’s much different than the college game. By comparison, the physicality in the NFL is extreme.
Even the smallest of mistakes will be magnified and opposing defenses will learn any flaws a player has very quickly. Typically, rookie quarterbacks aren’t successful in their first season.
However, in today’s era, waiting for a player to be ready isn’t the norm. Teams want young draft picks to contribute right away.
“I understand the impatience — that’s to be expected, to a certain extent,” McCaskey said. “(Williams) can’t do it by himself. We’ve all seen some very talented quarterbacks who didn’t have the help around them and who struggled as a result.”
If Williams can even get the Bears to be a .500-level team in year one, it will be a successful first season. Chicago could compete for a playoff spot if all goes well. That’s a big if.
Williams is about to experience the NFL pace when the Bears open the year against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
More news: NFL Legend Once in Caleb Williams’ Shoes Gives Advice to Bears Rookie QB
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