23 April 2024 , 02:00
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The Chicago Bears have taken a unique approach to Caleb Williams' visit, highlighting their NFL Draft intentions. The USC quarterback, who is tipped to be the Bears' first overall pick on Thursday, has already been introduced to his potential future teammates.
Williams has long been the projected No. 1 pick after bagging the Heisman Trophy in 2022 with over 4,500 yards and 52 total touchdowns. Despite a less impressive performance in 2023, he still racked up 3,333 yards and 41 touchdowns in just 12 games.
The Bears have invested significant time in Williams, attending his Pro Day in Los Angeles and inviting him to their Chicago facility for a Top 30 visit. While it's typical for prospective draft picks to dine with owners and coaches, the Bears chose a different route.
Hoping that Williams will break their unfortunate quarterback streak, the Bears sent him to dine with team leaders Cole Kmet, DJ Moore, T. J Edwards, and other respected roster members, as reported by ESPN.
The club's strategy was to let the senior players get to know their potential new quarterback better, believing they would be more receptive to their peers than the bosses ahead of the 2024 season. This way, players like Edwards and Kmet can understand Williams' mindset and relay their insights to the rest of the team.
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The Bears are showing a strong commitment to their players, exemplified by new recruit Keenan Allen's presence at USC Pro Day to support his future quarterback. Fresh from his trade from the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen was there to welcome Williams with open arms.
"Hell of an athlete," Allen remarked about Williams post-Pro Day. "Obviously, he can make tremendous plays with his feet, with his arm. Looks like he knows the game really well. Really good."
The Chicago Bears broke tradition and sent Williams for dinner with the roster over big bosses (2024 Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)Williams and Allen have been familiar faces to each other in LA. "I've known Keenan for a little bit now, hung out," Williams shared. "He was at the Chargers. Now he's at the Bears, he's here for a fourth-round pick, which is crazy. He's a beast, a good guy, and he can give you a lot of knowledge."
Their paths have intertwined in the NFL, with Williams set to join Allen in Chicago, sparking excitement for the upcoming season. The Bears have also secured a deal with former Chargers tight end Gerald Everett on a two-year contract.
Adding to the offensive firepower, Philadelphia Eagles' running back D'Andre Swift has inked a three-year deal with the Bears. All eyes are on Williams to lead the team as quarterback, though it won't be official until the NFL Draft's first pick is announced on Thursday.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.