Ian Rapoport Let Slip Why Bears Are So Zeroed In On Caleb Williams

Usually, it feels like teams don't become set on a specific quarterback going into a draft until around March or April. There is lots of work to do in that time, particularly with the scouting combine, private visits, and pro days. Those are the best opportunities for teams to meet and converse with the players. One would think the Chicago Bears planned to do the same, and they do. However, according to several top insiders, it sure sounds like they've already made up their minds. Everybody is convinced Caleb Williams will be the pick.

The obvious question is how they reached this conclusion despite not going through the entire process yet. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network finally hinted at why that is. Based on what he's heard, people in the building think Williams is "special." Upcoming interviews are seen as a way to make sure he checks the necessary mental boxes. Get comfortable with the person.

This would lead many to think the Bears aren't nearly as impressed by the other top quarterback options in this class, like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy.

The Caleb Williams stance for Chicago didn't come from nowhere.

People surprised by this must remember something. GM Ryan Poles and his scouts didn't suddenly start evaluating the USC quarterback over the past few months. They've had eyes on him for the better part of three years since he was a freshman at Oklahoma. During that time, they not only watched him on the field but also the sidelines, how he interacted with teammates and coaches. They likely have spoken to everybody within his sphere, getting a gauge of the type of competitor he is and his work ethic. Chicago did the same with Maye and Daniels, too.

The fact the Bears are already zeroed in on Caleb Williams should tell you something. They feel he is the total package. What a franchise quarterback should be. Only one thing can derail this process. That is, if he bombs during interviews. Expectations are it won't happen. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a sharp head on his shoulders. Unless another team swoops in with a ridiculous trade offer, it sounds like Williams will be a Bear by the end of April. The only question aside from that is what happens to Justin Fields.