The original version of Caleb Williams’ response to the “unexpected” Justin Fields deal could be found on NBC Sports Chicago.
From the beginning of the pre-draft process, Caleb Williams and the Bears have been in direct opposition to one another.
Williams was at the top of the Bears’ list when they arrived at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Soon after the combine, their original goal was to bring Williams in for a top-30 visit to get medical information and solidify their decision to cut ties with quarterback Justin Fields.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles wanted to give Fields a fresh start and make room for Williams as quickly as possible, so the top-30 visit was rescheduled for early April.
Three weeks prior to Williams’ visit to Halas Hall and four days before his pro day in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 16, Poles executed a trade that sent Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick.
Although Williams was caught off guard by the trade’s timing, it was evident that the Bears intended to select him first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I was within the vehicle. I was on my way to a professional gathering. I’m enjoying some music. I have my head nodding. Most likely, I hooked up with Drake. Williams stated, “I’m chilling,” during the most recent episode of “The Pivot.” “All I see when I drive to a business meeting in West Hollywood is my phone exploding. Whether it’s ESPN, real, everyday fans, or something else entirely. My phone is beeping when I pick it up, and I’m trying to figure out why—it was silent for a while before sending maybe a few texts to my phone [sounds like a text notification].
“After a while, I call a few people and say, ‘Hey, we know where their heart and mind are right now.'” Let’s get ready, plan, and handle things appropriately while continuing to exercise due diligence in the given circumstances and other related matters. I didn’t do my top-30 visit, so I was kind of like, “Wow,” at that point. My medical records and other records were missing from them. They currently own everything, and I enjoyed being in my top-30. But because it was so unexpected at the time, it was interesting at that very instant.
Prior to Williams’s pro day, the Bears hosted him for two days in Los Angeles and escorted him to a dinner with multiple veterans on his top-30 visit to Halas Hall.
Poles said that it would be crucial to have the appropriate person in the building when the QB vetting process began. Not only does Williams’ distinct talent shine through in the movie, but the Bears have been consistently pleased by his character during the pre-draft phase.
Speaking about Williams at the annual NFL league meetings, Poles stated, “When you talk to his teammates, they don’t like him, they love him.” “His ability to unite people through leadership.” His leadership style is deliberate. The personnel is in the same boat. Finding someone who doesn’t think he can achieve the greatest heights and doesn’t even like him is difficult for me.”
The way that Williams has managed to be a fantastic quarterback in Los Angeles during the NIL period while still maintaining his composure and being a fantastic teammate has impressed the Bears’ decision-makers.
Poles told NBC Sports Chicago, “I think how he prioritizes everything that’s going on in his life with the NIL.” “And with the way he’s uniting his teammates.” There are instances where the man is residing in a penthouse with an amazing view of Los Angeles and is driving a really great car. You can choose to be alone and stand out from the crowd, but it seems like he’s encouraging others and sharing what he has to assist the team come together over the past several years. It’s crucial to observe that. Given how unique it is, it has been interesting to analyze. You need to slightly ajust your eyes.
However, the primary focus must remain the primary focus. There must be responsibility. Intelligence is a prerequisite. A passion for the game is required. Certain things won’t change in the way we attempt to discover the best potential candidates.
When the Bears traded for Fields, they made it clear that they intended to choose Williams. On April 25, when Williams’ name is announced first in the draft in Detroit, that goal will come true.
Williams’ quest to end Chicago’s quarterback curse and attempt to surpass Tom Brady in the one category that matters to him—Super Bowl titles—will begin as soon as his name is called.
With regard to his impending relocation to Chicago, Williams told “The Pivot,” “I want to play in one place for 20 years and chase one guy, number 12.” “I want to live in a ball-loving community. I haven’t heard anything more about Chicago than that.
