Insider Reveals When Bears Locked In On Caleb Williams As Their Guy

The Chicago Bears have spent most of the past few months evaluating all the top quarterbacks in the 2024 draft. GM Ryan Poles wasn't about to make the same mistake his predecessor Ryan Pace did with Mitch Trubisky in 2017. He would make sure he had all the information possible. However, despite this thorough approach, it still felt as if the Bears zeroed in on Caleb Williams somewhat early in the process. Poles insisted no decision had been made and likely wouldn't be until closer to the draft.

Albert Breer of the MMQB has a pretty good idea of what the team became convinced Williams was their guy. It originated from their first meeting with him at the scouting combine.

What we do know about the quarterback dance is where Caleb Williams is going. I’d be floored if it’s not Chicago and, as I see it, the hay has been 95% or so in the barn on this since the combine.

Still, there are some interesting tidbits from his 30 visit with the team the other night. One is that he went with a dinner group separate from some of the other draft prospects in town, and with not just the team brass, but some veteran players. Then, the next day, for the first time this offseason, top receiver DJ Moore was in the building. Therein were opportunities for the Bears to see their prospective new quarterback around the older guys he will have to lead, and for Williams himself to get to know his new teammates.

For what it’s worth, the feedback I got back on how all that went was very positive.

Poles said his primary goal a couple of months ago was to get to know the person behind the player. He'd already watched all of Williams' tape. He was comfortable with how gifted the USC star was. Poles needed to know if he had the mental toughness and leadership qualities required for a city like Chicago. It seems the kid said the right things.

Caleb Williams is no stranger to high expectations.

He's dealt with them since high school. Playing at Oklahoma and USC, two programs with rich quarterback legacies, didn't seem to affect him either. Still, Chicago will be his greatest challenge. Everybody knows the reputation this organization has for misery at that position. It's been unstable for the most part since the 1950s. No QB has started a full season for this franchise since 2009. Needless to say, Williams has his work cut out for him. The good news is the organization has done a good job paving the way for his arrival.

When the off-season started, they already had D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet in place. They've since added Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift to the mix. That is a talented group for any quarterback to work with. Poles could even add to it with the Bears' #9 overall pick later in the first round. There is no question Caleb Williams may have lucked out by declaring this year. Most teams who hold the #1 pick don't have a roster this well-developed. If he is as good as many believe, the success may come immediately.