The Chicago Bears had one of the most disappointing seasons in the entire NFL, going 5-12, losing 10 of their last 11 games of the regular season. The Bears had high hopes after drafting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but the team would struggle with an inconsistent offensive line and a rough coaching staff. The Bears would fire their head coach, Matt Eberflus, after a disappointing loss to the Lions in week 13. The Bears entered 2025 needing to reload and rebuild around their franchise quarterback, Williams.

>GET DEALS ON CHICAGO BEARS TICKETS NOW!

The first move of the offseason was the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson, who had previously been the offensive coordinator for the Lions. The Lions had the most dominant offense last season under Johnson, thanks to his play-calling. Chicago would also trade for guard Joe Thuney from the Chiefs, who was an All-Pro last season. They also traded for guard Jonah Jackson from the Rams, adding another piece to the offensive line. The final move on the offensive line was signing center Drew Dalman from the Falcons.

The Bears didn’t stop there this offseason; they also signed defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, running back Travis Homer and wide receivers Devin Duverney and Olamide Zaccheaus. Chicago also hired Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator. Allen was previously the Saints’ head coach before getting fired in 2024, but he brings a lot of defensive experience to an already above-average defense.

Chicago gave Williams two new weapons in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, selecting tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan and wide receiver Luther Burden III out of Missouri. Both will add even more depth to Johnson’s offense, giving him more pieces to help develop Williams’ talent. The Bears also selected offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second and third rounds.

The Bears will have to prove they can finally compete in the NFC after having another successful offseason. Chicago has the second-most-demanding schedule in the NFL and plays in one of the toughest divisions in football: the NFC North. The Bears open the season vs the Vikings at home in a huge divisional matchup. The Bears play several teams who made the playoffs last season, including the Vikings, Lions, Commanders, Ravens, Steelers, Eagles and the Packers. Chicago will have to put together the pieces offensively if it wants to compete against one of the most demanding schedules in the NFL.

CHICAGO BEARS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 8 vs. Minnesota Vikings (Monday Night Football)
• Week 2: Sept. 14 at Detroit Lions
• Week 3: Sept. 21 vs. Dallas Cowboys
• Week 4: Sept. 28 at Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 5: Bye Week
• Week 6: Oct. 13 at Washington Commanders (Monday Night Football)
• Week 7: Oct. 19 vs. New Orleans Saints
• Week 8: Oct. 26 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 9: Nov. 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 10: Nov. 9 vs. New York Giants
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 12: Nov. 23 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 13: Nov. 28 at Philadelphia Eagles (Black Friday, Prime Video)
• Week 14: Dec. 7 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 15: Dec. 14 vs. Cleveland Browns
• Week 16: Dec. 20 vs. Green Bay Packers (Saturday doubleheader on Fox)
• Week 17: Dec. 28 at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears Season/Game Odds

The Bears open with +4000 odds of winning the Super Bowl and +1900 odds of winning the NFC Championship. Chicago goes into week one as -1.5 point favorites vs the Vikings and is favored in seven of their games this season.

The publisher receives a commission for links in this story. 

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams spent his time with the media confirming his love for playing for the Chicago Bears.

Seth Wickersham’s upcoming book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback revealed that Williams had considered ways to avoid being drafted by the Bears.

“I wanted to come here and be a part of turning this thing around,” Williams said. “I love being here.”

Williams did not deny his initial skepticism of being in Chicago, as he and his family mulled over where he would begin his NFL career. After visiting Chicago in April 2024, however, Williams said his desire to play for the Bears grew.

William’s father told Wickersham that Chicago is the place where “quarterbacks go to die.” Although he appreciates his father’s support, he said his father does not speak for him.

Wickersham’s book also reveals a disconnect between Williams and the former Chicago coaching staff. The Bears hired Ben Johnson as head coach in January and hired a new coaching staff.

Williams told his dad that, at times, there would be no instruction or guidance from coaches while watching film.

“No one tells me what to watch,” Williams told his dad. “I just turn it on.”

The Bears went 5-12 during William’s rookie season. He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

With additions to the offensive line and a new coaching staff, the Bears are poised to improve during their 2025 season.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and his father, Carl Williams, reportedly looked for ways around going to the Chicago Bears first overall, including demanding a trade to the Minnesota Vikings, consulting lawyers to evade the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and even signing with the United Football League (UFL).

ESPN Writer Seth Wickersham‘s forthcoming book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, details Williams’ pre- and post-Draft journey, alongside the stories of other iconic quarterbacks, including Johnny Unitas and the Mannings.

“I don’t want my son playing for the Bears,” the elder Williams reportedly told multiple agents leading up to the Draft. That hesitation was understandable. The Bears have famously never had a 4,000-yard season from a quarterback. They’ve had two Pro Bowl selections since 1950, and one of them was Mitch Trubisky as a replacement in 2018.

The coaching also presented an issue for the Williams family. At the time, the Bears employed Matt Eberflus as their head coach and Shane Waldron as their offensive coordinator. Caleb, skeptical of the coaching staff, wondered, “Do I want to go there? I don’t think I can do it with Waldron.”

As it turns out, both have now been replaced following a season best represented by a Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders, sealed by Jayden Daniels‘ Hail Mary. Eberflus was fired mid-season, at the end of November. The Bears, who had gone 4-2 prior to the Washington game, finished the season with ten consecutive losses and one win.

On the other side of the coaching coin, Caleb had hit it off with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell at the NFL Combine. He and his father made their preferences clear, including to the Chicago brass, but the Bears did not budge. Said general manager Ryan Poles, “We’re drafting you no matter what.”

Not wanting to get into a public firestorm, Caleb acquiesced. “I wasn’t ready to nuke the city,” he told Wickersham.

It’s undeniable that Williams felt the full brunt of that decision during his rookie year. While other rookie quarterbacks – particularly Daniels, who went on to win Rookie of the Year – benefitted from a stable coaching staff, Williams’ head coach was fired in the middle of the year. And even before that, Williams wasn’t receiving much guidance from the coaching staff.

“No one tells me what [film] to watch,” Williams told his father. “I just turn it on.”

Williams played decently, but didn’t live up to the hype. He was also sacked a league-leading 68 times. It looked like a confirmation of all his greatest fears about the Bears organization.

The organizational turnaround, though, looks promising. Chicago has replaced Eberflus with respected Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and added young offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The team also invested in quarterback protection, trading for Kansas City Chiefs’ four-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney.

There are still questions about Chicago as an organization, and there’s a limit to the turnaround you can really expect from Johnson’s hiring. Still, Williams ultimately committed to the Bears, and the team seems to be doing its best to build around him.

“I see a chance for greatness here for him,” said Johnson. “He’s been communicated that way, and he feels the same way. I don’t know what’s gone on prior to him joining the organization, but he is very proud to be a Chicago Bear.”

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the right direction for a team in desperate need of pass protection. Without the services of injured tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright in Week 10, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times in an embarrassing 19-3 loss against the Patriots.

After steadily improving all year with a developing rookie quarterback, the Bears have taken a massive step back in form since their Week 8 bye. Injuries to the offensive line are almost entirely to blame, stunting every other facet of the offense.

Chicago took some proactive steps to improve the situation, releasing veteran guard Nate Davis, who was also injured last week, and signing 2023 third-rounder Ricky Stromberg to the practice squad. 

Even with these moves, however, the line’s strength ultimately depends on how quickly starters like Jones and Wright can return healthy. Both linemen practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday and provided positive updates.

“Feeling pretty good,” Jones told reporters Wednesday after two weeks on the sideline, per a team report. “Rejuvenated. Feeling healthy, so just ready to be out there at practice and see how it goes. But, feeling pretty good. … It’s tough to sit out any week. Been playing this game for years now and I want to play every week and be able to help my team in any way I can.”

In Chicago’s last two games against the Cardinals and Bears, in which they had to compete without both starting tackles, Williams was sacked 15 times, nearly doubling his total from his first seven games. Against the Patriots, he threw for just 130 yards on 16 completions.

As a result of poor blocking and limited production through the air, the Bears’ running game has suffered as well. Starter D’Andre Swift, who rushed for at least 70 yards and a score in four straight games between Weeks 4 and 8, has not broken 60 yards since. Backup Roschon Johnson’s typically productive supporting role has completely evaporated.

The Chicago Bears learned the hard way last week that not all wins are pretty.

The Monsters of the Midway trailed 17-3 heading into the half and needed a special teams touchdown and pick-six to secure a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

The offense struggled, only accumulating 148 yards on the day, picking up just 11 first downs. Many analysts expected a better performance, given that the 2024 #1 overall pick Caleb Williams made his first career start. The former USC quarterback finished the day with a dismal 93 passing yards on 14/29 attempts. While he never made the mistake and did not turn the ball over, Williams left much to be desired. After the game, he did not overreact to his rough start in the NFL.

“Obviously, we didn’t perform how we wanted to (offensively). We want to be the most efficient team out there, myself included. Didn’t perform the way I wanted to. I missed a few passes that I normally don’t miss. All these other things.”

“Yeah, I don’t care about stats. I feel great. To be honest with you, I feel great.”

The Bears revamped their offensive roster, bringing in WR Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers and signing veteran RB D’Andre Swift to a three-year contract in free agency. Chicago also drafted WR Rome Odunze with the ninth pick in the draft from Washington, hoping to provide their rookie QB with star talent around him.

In fairness to Williams, he was the only rookie quarterback that earned a win as a starter on Sunday. Jayden Daniels fell to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers 37-20 and did not record a passing touchdown, while Bo Nix lost on the road to the Seattle Seahawks 26-20 and threw two interceptions.

Chicago hits the road for the first time this week in a Sunday night game against the Houston Texans. ESPN Bet set the Bears’ chances to win at +220.

Super Bowl 42 champion Amani Toomer wasted no time calling out 2024’s number one pick, Caleb Williams, on his leadership skills. Specifically, Toomer went off since Williams ordered his teammates to take better care of the locker room.

“He’s Russell Wilson 2.0,” Toomer said on an episode of The Carton Show. “Some rookie’s gonna come in who hasn’t played one snap, talking, wearing the fingernail polish, come in here and tell me that I need to clean up? No, how about you, rookie? How about you clean up after me?”

Toomer added that rookies should earn respect from fellow teammates.

Many criticized the USC phenom due to his personality—critics ripped Williams for painting his nails and for crying in his mother’s arms after losing to the Washington Huskies last November.

“Let Caleb Williams be Caleb Williams, ain’t nothing wrong with him wearing pink fingernail polish. If he goes to Chicago, then Bears fans should be rocking with him whatever he is,” Robert Griffin III said on X in March.

All backlash aside, Williams has been thriving during Bears training camp.

Last week, the signal caller fired a throw with both feet in the air, connecting with newly acquired Keenan Allen on the sidelines. “He’s got that it factor,” tight end Gerald Everett commented. “As a dual-threat quarterback, he isn’t afraid to run and has the arm strength.”

Williams has high expectations coming into 2024, as many believe the Bears are a playoff contender based on the offseason Chicago had. Of course, the number one pick has to prove that he can be an effective leader to establish chemistry so his Bears can stay focused.

The Chicago Bears have their sights set on preparing for training camp with the Hall of Fame Game around the corner. Of course, the spotlight was on USC phenom Caleb Williams as he was one of the last rookies to sign a contract – Rome Odunze, J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner joined Williams on the list of names that didn’t sign a rookie deal.

According to media reports, the rookie quarterback didn’t want a franchise tag when his deal expired, but Chicago denied the request. Williams also declined to go into depth regarding his contract. Some reporters characterized William’s demands as “shocking.”

Bears’ GM Ryan Poles considered talks with Williams as a “positive” process that didn’t go in unexpected directions. “Just for general knowledge, it’s very common for different things to be asked for or anything like that,” Poles commented. “It wasn’t anything shocking in terms of what was being asked. At the end of the day, I’m glad it worked out and was pretty standard.”

Aside from contract negotiations, Chicago needs to turn the page and await the start of the 2024 season. The Bears have expectations to compete for a playoff spot since they revamped their offense. Keenan Allen and DeAndre Swift headline the roster makeover as they are perfect compliments to D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet while being reliable targets to Williams. Williams has the nod of “franchise quarterback,” meaning that he needs to excel each year to provide the Bears to dwell out from the bottom of the league.

The Bears signed their franchise quarterback to a rookie contract on Tuesday. USC phenom Caleb Williams signed a four-year, $39 million deal that’s fully guaranteed. The contract also included a $25 million signing bonus. Rome Odunze also signed for four years, worth $22.7 million.

The rookie quarterback-receiver duo originally represented a handful of the first-round’s unsigned picks – J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner are now the only first-round selections to be offered a contract. It’s been speculated that McCarthy waited for Williams to sign his deal before negotiating with the Vikings, though Minnesota is taking their time.

Williams and Odunze are key pieces to Chicago’s roster overhaul as D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift highlight a massively improved squad. Williams’ expectations are through the roof as the pieces are intact for a breakout rookie campaign and a playoff berth. Chicago has never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a season, but some believe Williams can be the guy who does this. Chicago came close to making the playoffs in 2023 with nearly the same squad, and by having a quarterback like Williams, the Bears can go over the hump if Williams plays at a high level.

Williams began his collegiate career as an Oklahoma Sooner. In Norman, the signal caller threw for 1,912 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. He eventually transferred to USC, and it was the right move for Williams as he won the Heisman Trophy in 2022. Williams threw for over 4,500 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 382 yards.

Odunze was selected ninth overall by the Bears in the 2024 NFL draft. The ex-Washington Husky led his team in receiving yards in 2022, recording 1,145 yards in his junior season. In 2023, Odunze caught 81 passes from Michael Penix Jr. for 1,640 yards while hauling in 13 touchdowns.

Regardless of how 2024 goes, Chicago’s future is bright.

In his early days with the Chicago Bears, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is already winning over his veteran teammates. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who alluded to Williams’ behavior as being too “Hollywood” earlier this year, had nothing but praise for the first overall pick earlier this week.

In an interview with Jim Rome, Johnson backtracked on his original comment, which alluded to the idea that expressive players like Williams would not fit in well in Chicago. He now claims that people misunderstood his original comment, and concerning Williams specifically, asserted that it could not be further from the truth.

“It’s tough for me because even when I did say that, I was never accusing him of being that type of guy,” Johnson said of the USC quarterback. “I think more so … [the interview] got taken out of context. But I feel like even with it being reality, now having him in our locker room and in our building, he’s not like that.

Johnson, who has been with Chicago since 2020, now believes that his new teammate was the right pick as the team rebuilds toward a more successful future.

“He fits in perfectly,” Johnson said. “He comes into work. I feel like coming to the Bears and the city of Chicago, things that we’re kind of fighting against — it’s really just a hard-nosed city. I mean, the fans are hard-nosed, our team is hard-nosed and has kind of been built on that. And I think he’s coming in and fitting in perfectly.”

Williams, who is known for his painted nails and unique style off the field, was a surefire first overall pick entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Still, many traditionalists around the league criticized his behavior as immature or weak, ignoring his phenomenal play for the Trojans in 2022 and 2023.

In his first few weeks training with the team, however, it appears that he has already inspired confidence among his teammates. Fans are sure to grumble for a time about Justin Fields’ abrupt departure, but there is no doubt that Williams is a player to watch entering the 2024 season on an improving Bears roster.

In addition to Williams, Chicago has added a number of offensive weapons, namely veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift. The team also drafted rookie receiver Rome Odunze, providing Williams with plenty of support in his first NFL season.

The Chicago Bears will step into the national limelight this offseason as they are set to be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks throughout their training camp. This marks a historic first for the Bears, who have never allowed HBO’s cameras inside their camp since the series began in 2001.

Despite Chairman George McCaskey’s long-standing opposition to the program, which he reiterated during league meetings in March, the allure of showcasing the franchise’s new talent and rising prospects proved too compelling. The decision to feature the Bears was largely influenced by the presence of quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, and the team’s upward trajectory after finishing 7-10 in the 2023 season.

“We’re told there is some interest in other teams being on the program, and we welcome that interest,” McCaskey told ESPN. Yet, the narrative around Williams and the Bears’ potential made them an ideal choice for HBO and NFL Films.

The Bears’ selection for Hard Knocks is significant. It marks the first time the show will feature a team with a rookie quarterback selected first overall since the Cleveland Browns in 2018 when Baker Mayfield was the focus. This opportunity places the Bears in a unique spotlight, highlighting their journey and challenges as they prepare for the upcoming season.

“We are honored to feature such an iconic NFL franchise on Hard Knocks,” said NFL Films senior director and supervising producer Shannon Furman. “The Chicago Bears have a talented roster, coaching staff and front office all determined to match the expectations of a hungry fan base. We are thankful to the entire organization for opening their doors to us for what is sure to be an exciting training camp this summer.”

The Bears will report to training camp in late July, ahead of their Hall of Fame game against the Houston Texans in Canton, Ohio, on August 1. The first episode of Hard Knocks will air on August 6 at 9 p.m. ET, promising an in-depth look at the team’s preparations and dynamics.

For Bears general manager Ryan Poles, the exposure aligns perfectly with the team’s ambitions. “The 2024 training camp will be big for us in preparation for achieving our season goals, and we look forward to bringing the fans at home along for the journey,” Poles said.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is reportedly experiencing growing pains during his first NFL training camp. The 2024 first-overall pick struggled in a 7-on-7 drill Thursday, throwing multiple near-interceptions and completing just three passes.

Early reports on Williams’ progression in early drills have been inconsistent, with players and outside observers forming a number of opinions on his performance. His practice Thursday, however, was the first that media members could view, and the results were less than promising.

“Rough day for Caleb and the starting offense,” beat reporter Nicholas Moreano posted on X. “Many incompletions and near INTs. In 7-on-7, Williams completed only three passes. [Jaylon Johnson] had a near-INT over the middle. In team period, most completions were to the flat; Williams held onto the ball for a long time.”

Moreano added that receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen were both unavailable for practice, as Odunze is dealing with a knee injury and Allen had a family matter. That could have had a serious impact on Williams’ performance as he tries to decipher a new offense. As receiver D.J. Moore pointed out, Williams isn’t the only one with something to learn.

“Right now we’re all just getting used to each other,” Moore said. “We all have to learn a new offense right now. With him, you just have to know that the growing pains are going to be there. For a rookie, I think he’s 22? 23?, so you know you’ve got a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish in such a short amount of time.”

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has also been tolerant of Williams’ early mistakes. He considers momentary lapses inevitable for a rookie quarterback and has been happy with Williams’ progression.

“I see progress for sure,” Eberflus said when asked about Williams, according to NBC Sports. “It’s going to continue to be that way. He’s been in early, stays late, asking questions at night — he’s got his iPad at night in the hotel and has been working his tail off.”

While Williams takes time to learn an NFL offense for the first time, the Bears will spend the next few months developing a new system around a radically improved offensive roster. In addition to drafting Williams and Odunze and trading for Allen, the team also acquired running back D’Andre Swift from the Eagles. The rookie quarterback could be stepping into a team ready to win from the very beginning.

The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. After the pomp and circumstance ended in Detroit, more attention turned to what lineup teams would trot out to the field when football officially returned in early September. One team in particular, the Chicago Bears, looks to have, at least on paper, one of the most exciting offenses in the league. Starting with the No.1 overall pick in this year’s draft, Caleb Williams, here is a rundown of what to expect from each of the projected starters on the Bears attack:

Quarterback: Caleb Williams

Not much more can be said about Williams. During his stints at Oklahoma and USC, he threw for 92 touchdown passes and 10,082 yards on his journey to becoming the top NFL prospect in his class. A glance at social media reveals some fans and analysts question his attitude and leadership qualities. Still, Williams’ ability to improvise in the pocket, exceptional arm strength, and laser accuracy should negate any minor concerns about the quarterback. The Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer –  Williams should change that rather quickly, maybe even in his rookie year.

Running Back: DeAndre Swift

The former Eagles and Lions rusher signed with the Bears in March on a three-year deal worth $24 million. In 2023, Swift had his best professional season yet, amassing 1,049 yards and five touchdowns with Philadelphia. With his several years of experience, Swift should act as a security blanket for Williams should he experience growing pains as he transitions into an NFL offense.

Wide Receivers: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen

The Bears can make the case that they have the best wide receiver trio in football. Moore is arguably a top-10 wideout in the NFL after a 2023 campaign that saw him record 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns with Chicago. Moore also made an extraordinary effort versus the Washington Commanders, torching their secondary for 230 yards and three touchdowns, showing he could take over any game. 

Moore is joined by new additions Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen. Odunze, the rookie receiver out of Washington selected with the ninth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, should significantly impact day one. He led the FBS in receiving yards in 2023 and played a massive role in the Huskies making the national championship. Meanwhile, Allen is coming off his sixth 1,000+ yard season with the Chargers and looks to be back to full health after missing four games with a heel injury. While his trade from Los Angeles, where he spent all of his 11-year career, was surprising, his production is still expected to be prolific, especially with Williams feeding him the ball.

Tight end: Cole Kmet

Kmet is one of the more underrated players in his position. He’s never quite the focal point of an offense but steps up when asked; he should be an excellent red-zone target for Williams. Kmet had a career-high 719 receiving yards in 2023 and continues to be an excellent run-blocker. He is an asset not only for his new quarterback but also for Swift, who hopes to build on his career year with the Eagles by having a trustworthy protector at his side.

For the first time in over 80 years, the Chicago Bears held the first overall pick of the NFL Draft and selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams’ arrival with the Bears wasn’t a surprise, as he has been the favorite to be taken first overall since he won the Heisman Award in 2022. Williams played a year at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to USC. He had a college career passing percentage of 66.9% for 9,782 yards with 120 total touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

“I didn’t know how I was going to react in the moment,” Williams said after he was picked. “I was trying to think through it in my head throughout the process, but nothing feels better than actually being in the moment, actually getting that call. You know, I don’t feel nervous; I don’t feel any of that. I was anxious and ready to go, just ready to get the call so I could walk out there on stage and just finally be back on a team is honestly what I’m excited for.”

Chicago previously drafted Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, but after three up-and-down years, he signed with Pittsburgh in the offseason. Before Fields, the Bears drafted UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky with the second overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Like Fields, Trubisky was in and out of the starting lineup for his four years with the Bears and was never able to find his footing as the team’s cemented starter. Williams, instead, comes to fix the Bears’ lingering quarterback issue after one of the most successful college careers in recent years. They were also the only team who visited with Williams before the draft.

“I felt good at that point,” Williams said. “Getting around the guys, the coaches, the executives. And so, I was around the facility mainly…Obviously, the facility is where I’m going to be at for the majority of my time, throughout weeks and days. I was around the guys in the facility, and I felt comfortable. I felt good. I was happy and ready to go.”

In his freshman season with the Sooners, Williams battled with Spencer Rattler for the starting position. He eventually landed the role and finished the year with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. Following his success and searching for an easier starting role, Williams transferred to USC, where he reunited with his old head coach, Lincoln Riley.

In 2022, Williams had one of the most dominating years in recent college football memory, leading the Trojans to an 11-3 record while throwing for 4,532 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions. Though losing in the Cotton Bowl to Tulane, Williams walked away from the season, winning both the AP College Player of the Year and Heisman Awards. USC came into 2023 returning only a few starters and struggled heavily to protect Williams on the offensive line. Despite the team finishing with only a 7-5 record, he ended the year throwing for 3,333 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. Along with his 93 passing touchdowns in three years, Williams also finished with 27 rushing touchdowns for almost 1,000 rushing yards.

Despite being one of the oldest teams in the league, the Chicago Bears single-season throwing record is famously the lowest in the NFL, with Erik Kramer throwing for 3,838 yards in 1995. It was a feat expected to be broken by both Fields and Trubisky after they were brought in, but neither was able to get within 600 yards in their combined seven seasons with the team. However, Williams comes to the team known for his gunslinging ability and lack of fear of throwing the ball downfield. Many expect him to be the help needed for a team known for its strong defense but with desperate struggles to find a reliable quarterback to lead them to playoff success.

“When you talk to his teammates, they don’t like him; they love him,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said about selecting Williams. “His leadership, how he brings people together, he’s intentional with his leadership. Same goes with the staff. I’m having a hard time finding a person that doesn’t like him or even love him and thinks that he can reach the highest limits. The feedback’s been good.”

To help Williams find playoff success and perhaps the team’s single-season passing record, the Bears drafted Washington receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze was the third receiver off the board but finished the year as the leading receiver in college football with 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He played four years for the Huskies, ending his career with 3,060 yards and 25 total touchdowns in 36 games.

New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has brought optimism back to southern California. Ever since leaving the Michigan Wolverines after the team was champions of college football in 2023, Harbaugh has set his sights on igniting the Bolts. The Bolts aim to surround quarterback Justin Herbert with a supporting cast to lift the franchise back to the postseason.

With a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers’ front office must make an important decision about which roster position to bolster. 

They decided the top offensive lineman prospect was too good to pass up.

Former Notre Dame OT Joe Alt was selected fifth overall in Thursday’s draft. Most mock drafts projected Alt as a top-10 pick and potentially generational at his position.

According to the Los Angeles Chargers website press release on the draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic praised Alt for his traits controlling the line of scrimmage. “Alt stays light on his feet with the big-man agility, body control and instinctive recovery skills to become a high-level run blocker and above-average pass protector,” he said.

Brugler believes that Alt can have an impact, adding that he has “the pedigree to be a cornerstone player for an NFL franchise.”

Before the draft, taking a wide receiver with their first-round pick seemed like a real possibility- nearly every top receiver prospect would still be available. Players like Washington’s Rome Odunze, LSU’s Malik Nabers, and Texas’s Adonai Mitchell would all be worthy additions to Herbert’s arsenal on offense. 

However, rumors also circulated that the Chargers could use their draft leverage and trade their first-round pick. They could have swapped picks with a team that might want to trade up to select a quarterback, possibly the Minnesota Vikings or Las Vegas Raiders. 

Ultimately, Harbaugh and the Chargers front office have given fans hope that the team can turn its fortunes around after a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2023. Now, they must continue to instill trust within the fan base as the calendar inches closer to the start of the regular season.

The NFL Combine has come and gone. As the football world turns its attention to the beginning of the free agency period, here are some of the most important things you need to know coming out of the event:

Chop Robinson looks to be the real deal.

Penn State defensive lineman Chop Johnson set social media ablaze during the first day of athletic training last Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 254-pound prospect ran the 40-yard dash in a lightning-fast 4.48 seconds.

Considering his size, this was an incredible feat – and will certainly turn the heads of NFL scouts. He is the fourth-ranked edge rusher out of college players who declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. After his outstanding first training session at the Combine, the comparisons to former Nittany Lion standout Micah Parsons don’t quite seem so far-fetched.

Speaking Of The 40-Yard Dash…

The NFL Combine record for this competition was shattered, with Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy sprinting 40 yards in just 4.21 seconds. It beat the previous record that John Ross set back in 2017.

This dialogue surrounding the wide receiver draft class this year has centered around names such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Keon Coleman and Troy Franklin. With speed showcased like this, however, maybe Worthy gets a few extra looks from NFL scouts?

Caleb Williams Makes History – Off The Field

Williams became the first NFL Combine prospect to not undergo medical examinations. While the tests are expected for most participants, they have been criticized for being at times long and redundant. Williams also did not give his medical records to any of the 32 teams, instead waiting to give them out to teams that take the most interest in him as the NFL Draft approaches.

This isn’t the first time the projected No.1 pick in the draft has made unprecedented decisions regarding his preparation for his NFL career – Williams notably does not have an agent.

Williams also wants partial ownership of any team that drafts him, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Overall, whether you agree with Williams’ decisions or not, the former USC Trojan is carving his own unique path in his path to start his NFL career.

The Chicago Bears are at a crossroads as the 2024 NFL Draft inches closer.

Their current quarterback, Justin Fields, has shown flashes of promise since he was drafted 11th overall in 2021. In his sophomore season, Fields rushed for 1,143 yards, becoming only the third quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

However, the Bears have never made the playoffs in Fields’ three years with the team. He also has thrown 30 interceptions and fumbled 16 times in his career, showing there is a downside to Fields’ occasional dynamic play.

The Bears also happen to have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, which means that the franchise is at another critical juncture: keep the promising quarterback you already have, or start from scratch with a brand new man under center?

Caleb Williams, the star gunslinger out of USC, is widely considered to be the best prospect in this year’s draft. He has poise in the pocket, can create improvise under heavy pressure from defenses and is simply enthralling to watch.

Recently, Williams has been back in the news cycle for not hiring an agent. Some NFL analysts are concerned that the prospect is going to have a more difficult time defending himself from criticism and convincing teams to select him. It will be interesting to see if this news will factor in the Bears’ eventual decision.

If the Bears decide to move on from Fields, there are plenty of teams that are possibly looking at an upgrade at the quarterback position. That includes the Falcons, Vikings, Patriots, Browns, Titans, Raiders and Commanders just to list some potential suitors. That haul that Chicago could receive in a hypothetical Fields trade could further help fill holes in the team’s roster.

What the Bears will do before or during the draft will likely have long-term ramifications for their franchise. It will be interesting to see what unfolds for one of the NFL’s most historic organizations.

The Washington Commanders have hired Kliff Kingsbury as the new offense coordinator, rounding out the team’s coaching vacancies.

Washington has also hired Dan Quinn as the next head coach and Joe Whitt Jr. as their new defensive coordinator. Kingsbury was in contention for the role of offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, but as contract talks dwindled, Washington quickly came in and claimed their new playcaller.

The Commanders finished the season last in the NFC East at 4-13, which ended the Ron Rivera era in Washington.

Kingsbury is taking over the offense from Eric Bienemy, who was let go after just one year as the team’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. The Commanders were in the bottom half of the league in most offensive stats, tied for 25th in points per game at 19.4 and 24th in yards per game at 312.8.

Kingsbury has major NFL coaching experience, as he was previously the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-2022. In his four years with the team with quarterback Kyler Murray, Kingsbury held a 28-37-1 record with just one playoff appearance. The team peaked in 2021 when they were ranked eighth in the league in yards and 11th in points, but fell drastically the next year following Murray’s ACL injury.

Kingsbury was most recently in an offensive analyst and quarterback’s coaching position with USC in the fall of 2023, working with projected first-overall pick Caleb Williams. Washington spent all of last season with quarterback Sam Howell but can trade with the Chicago Bears to select Williams or also choose from other college stars like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or Michael Penix Jr., as their second overall pick.

Kingsbury was in talks with the Bears to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy, and though they are expected to take Williams with their first overall pick, they didn’t choose to hire his most recent coach. Kingsbury has spent time developing young quarterbacks as along with Williams as he coached Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield during his tenure as head coach of Texas Tech.

With his history and their standing in the draft, the 44-year-old with more than 15 years of NFL and college coaching experience should be a perfect fit for a Washington team looking to build around a young star.