Caleb Williams sets goal of 'immortality' with Bears: 'Only way to reach that is winning championships'

At long last, the Bears turned the expected into reality on Thursday night by drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The selection marked a historic moment for Chicago, as it was their first top pick in a draft since 1947. Both the team and Williams hope that this choice will serve as a catalyst for a new chapter in the Bears’ recent history, given that they’ve frequently found themselves looking up to the rest of the NFL world.

“The history since I’ve been alive hasn’t been necessarily where they are winning big games and Super Bowls and things like that,” Williams admitted in his post-draft news conference, per NBC Sports Chicago.

Williams, who was born in 2001, was only five years old when the Chicago Bears last participated in a Super Bowl, which they lost. In the 22 years of Williams’ life, the Bears have made it to the playoffs six times, won five NFC North titles, and had 16 seasons with a .500 or worse record. Notably, the franchise has never had a quarterback who has thrown 30 touchdowns or passed for 4,000 yards in a single season.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, a prospect for the ages, has the audacity and talent to make a difference. Williams, who started one season at Oklahoma and spent the last two years with USC, amassed 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions during his college career. In addition, he contributed 966 yards and 27 touchdowns as a runner.

He possesses the ability to execute all types of throws, a trait that can sometimes be detrimental when he delays for a more heroic toss instead of opting for a simpler one. Additionally, he has the agility to punish a defense team if they encroach and leave an escape route or turn their backs to the line of scrimmage during coverage.

Although he is a perpetual member of the Heisman club, he never achieved a championship with USC either in the Pac-12 or on a national level. His objective in aligning with Chicago is to alter this narrative. He is aware that consistent, long-term success could potentially rank him among the legendary quarterbacks.

“Regarding my future in Chicago, I foresee either reaching the pinnacle of my career or at least having a seat at the table,” Williams shared. “It’s all about setting dreams and goals that may not be achievable within a year or two but striving to attain them nonetheless. Consistency is key, and one must never tire of it. It’s about being the same person, leading the team, holding them accountable and being held accountable in return. The team goals are vital, they’re the only way to reach success.”

Achieving immortality is my ultimate goal. This can only be attained through winning championships, which is of great importance to me. It’s the primary reason I participate in the game and it fills me with excitement.

It’s a lofty aim, and one recent first-round draft quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields surely never accomplished with Chicago.

The struggle of the Bears to draft and develop a franchise quarterback led some people to question early in the process if Williams, who was assumed to be the No. 1 pick for months, would be open to playing in Chicago.

He stated that he remained committed throughout the process. On Thursday night, he detailed specifically how the leadership of the Bears convinced him.

“They confessed that they haven’t always assigned people to the right roles, and they take responsibility for that,” he said. “Their intention now is to rectify this. As you may have noticed, there’s a new stadium, new coaching staff, and executive staff. They are bringing in individuals from successful backgrounds who have a strong desire to win. This spans across the entire Bears family – from the stadium, to the team, coaches, and executive staff. Everyone is keen on winning and transforming the culture.”

By acknowledging their past weaknesses, the Bears have managed to implement corrective measures. Even though April always seems the most promising, it’s irrefutable that Chicago is positioning its latest quarterback to excel.

Although the Bears only have two picks remaining in the 2024 draft, they’ve already secured yet another top pass catcher in No. 9 overall selection Rome Odunze, creating a monstrous wideout trio befitting the Monsters of the Midway. Odunze joins DJ Moore, acquired in a trade last offseason, and Keenan Allen, added in a deal in March, in a passing offense that suddenly looks primed to shatter the output from its 27th-ranked operation last season.

There’s also tight end Cole Kmet, and the newly-signed running back D'Andre Swift to pair with Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert.

The necessary elements are already effectively set up to enable Williams to achieve his maximum potential.

In the future, we will find out if that also equates to achieving immortality in football.