No. 1 NFL draft pick Caleb Williams realizes all eyes are on him and he’s embracing the attention
The former Southern California star was ready to embrace the attention after the Chicago Bears grabbed him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The prized quarterback knows all eyes are on him in a city craving a consistent winner. And to that, Williams said bring it on.
At a press conference on Friday, one day after the Bears selected him, he declared, “I’m always going to be under scrutiny.” “Among other things, I paint my nails. I’ll be under constant scrutiny for that. I dress in quirky outfits and such. Thus, you are aware. Just win games and execute my job on the football field. I believe that if you win a lot of games here, most people will be satisfied with you.”
The Bears have only made three trips to the postseason since they made it to the Super Bowl in 2006. And they were unable to proceed in two of them. Although the 1985 squad is still Chicago’s only Super Bowl champion, there is undoubtedly excitement in the Windy City.
The Bears look like they might be ready to turn a corner, after going a combined 10-24 in their first two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.
Chicago added another elite receiver to complement DJ Moore when it acquired Los Angeles Chargers’ six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen. When the Bears selected Washington State’s Rome Odunze at No. 9, they added another possible playmaker to their lineup. They believe they have their franchise quarterback, though, above all else.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Williams hasn’t tried to lower expectations. He recently stated that he’s trying to match Tom Brady’s record of seven Super Bowl victories on The Pivot Podcast.
“What´s the reason to duck?” Williams stated. It’s available here. Don’t feel compelled to duck. Here I am. Rome has arrived. Keenan Allen, the top-five defense that we had last year, special teams, all the new roles – whatever. We´re here. I´m excited. I know everybody´s excited. The Bears fans are excited from what I´ve heard and seen, and there´s no reason to duck. Attack it head first and go get it.”
Williams acknowledged there might be growing pains. But he insisted he expects to be great right away.
“Why wouldn´t I?” he said. “Obviously if there´s growing pains, you handle them. But that doesn´t mean that affects your greatness. There´s trials and tribulations that you go through. Why would I go somewhere, work so hard for so many years and then in every situation I go to believe I´m the best, and then I get here and I don´t believe that? That doesn´t mean that I go around and boast. That doesn´t mean that I go around and say that. But the way I handle my work, the way I carry myself every day, how I treat my friends, family, teammates, the faculty, the executives here, the custodians, whatever the case may be – treat everybody as they are, we´re all equal and everybody should think that they´re the best when you do things and you work so hard for stuff.”
Williams, who held up a No. 1 jersey on draft night, will wear No. 18 in Chicago. His number at USC – 13 – is taken by Allen.
Williams has a strong arm, an ability to avoid defenders and presence in the pocket. He had 93 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions during three seasons at Oklahoma and USC and captured the Heisman after following coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles from Norman.
“He’s not scared for greatness,” Riley said. “He’s not scared to put it out there. He’s not scared to be himself, and I think you have to have that belief in yourself. You have to have that belief in the people around you, and it’s infectious. That’s what happens when a quarterback or team leader has that kind of feeling about their goals and squad.
Williams has been scrutinized by Odunze throughout the past few seasons. Last season, he set a school record with 1,640 yards receiving, leading the country.
“It was embarrassing to watch some of the things he was doing to our defense,” Odunze stated. Extremely unique and exceptional skill set. There are some things he can accomplish on the field that you won’t see any other quarterback do when you watch him play. He offers a special set of skills. You are aware that a play is never concluded until the whistle is blown because he exudes such confidence both in the pocket and when stretching one.”
