Matt Eberflus Basically Just Let Slip Caleb Williams Is The Bears' Pick

The Chicago Bears haven't outright said anything regarding their intentions for the #1 overall pick. Yet they also haven't exactly worked hard to hide them. For weeks, people around the NFL have indicated to the media that they believe the Bears will take USC quarterback Caleb Williams at that spot. They love what they've seen on tape and have spent the past month getting to know the person as a worker, leader, and teammate. GM Ryan Poles had nothing but good things to say about their meetings with Williams prior to his pro day. Matt Eberflus was much the same.

He spoke to the media during the league meetings down in Orlando. He got to speak with the quarterback alone for over an hour. What he gleaned from that was confirmation on multiple fronts.

Here is where things get interesting. The interaction with his teammates was clearly a signature moment in the evaluation process for the Bears. They know any QB they take will be stepping into a locker room that really loved Justin Fields. It has to be somebody that can win them over. Williams appears to have the personality required. While explaining this, Eberflus may have tipped his hand a little too much. Albert Breer of the MMQB caught it.

For those unfamiliar, "install" is a word coaches use when they plan to teach a player offensive or defensive schemes. Saying the Bears will continue the install during Williams' private visit is basically an admission that he will be the pick. They plan to use that visit to get a head start on the upcoming season.

Matt Eberflus isn't the only one who made a slip like this.

Williams himself appeared to do so as well. He was asked after his pro day about the unexpected appearance of star receiver Keenan Allen at the event. Chicago had just acquired him from the Chargers for a 4th round pick. The way Williams worded his thoughts on it was pretty telling.

“He was with the Chargers and now he’s here for a 4th round pick which is crazy, coming off his best year.”

Maybe it was presumption on his part, or he's likely been assured that he will be the Bears' pick and already has his mindset of being part of the team. Now Matt Eberflus makes a similar slipup like that. The team may continue their attempts at deception, but it's hard to imagine anybody is buying it at this point. There really is no reason. They hold the #1 pick in the draft. Nobody else is going to jump in front of them. Poles and Eberflus can take whomever they want without fear of repercussions. That means they can talk openly about it if they wish.

It's not like it hasn't happened in the past. The Buffalo Bills had no qualms about declaring Bruce Smith was their pick in 1985, well before the draft. It's been true multiple times since then. Everything points to the Bears having their guy. Using the private visit to start preparing him for the season feels like a sensible idea.