Is Bears’ Caleb Williams Setting Himself Up For Disappointment?

The Chicago Bears did what everyone expected them to do last Thursday, selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft.

There are differing opinions on Williams. Some feel he is a generational prospect. Others think he may not be mentally prepared for the rigors of professional football.

What we do know is that Williams himself thinks he is about to take the league by storm.

He has already said he is chasing Tom Brady. He also says he is after football immortality. Heck, incoming rookie punter Tory Taylor says that Williams already texted him saying that he should not expect to punt much next season.

And on paper, you can understand why.

It’s not just that the Bears drafted Williams. They also traded for Keenan Allen and took Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick, giving them an incredibly enviable receiving corps that also includes DJ Moore. They have a pair of terrific tight ends in Cole Kmet and recent addition Gerald Everett. They signed a versatile running back in D’Andre Swift. They also have a decent—if a bit unspectacular—offensive line.

So yes: in terms of his supporting cast, Williams is set up for success heading into 2024, more than most rookie quarterbacks would ever even dream of going into their debut campaigns.

But is he sabotaging himself?

Look: bravado is nice. Confidence is great. But sometimes, it borders on arrogance and delusion, and if you hear Williams tell it, it would appear that he still thinks he is in the Pac-12.

But he isn’t: he is in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL in the NFC North.

The Detroit Lions were one half of passable football away from getting to the Super Bowl this past January. The Green Bay Packers are on the rise with Jordan Love. Even the Minnesota Vikings should be pesky.

Chicago went 7-10 this past year, going 2-4 within its division. Yes, that was with Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent managing the quarterback position, but the idea that Williams is going to immediately add three wins and make the Bears a 10-win team may be jumping the gun a little bit.

We have already heard Chicago cornerback Jaylon Johnson lay down the law regarding Williams, and that was a month before Williams was even drafted. And this is Williams’ teammate we are talking about.

This isn’t USC.

The thing is, Williams’ surrounding talent in the Windy City will be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it should make things more palatable for him right off the bat, but it’s a curse in that there will be endless pressure on him to produce, especially given the way he keeps talking.

Contrast that with Drake Maye, who is entering a situation with the New England Patriots where he is essentially bereft of support.

Williams has tons of it. Moore and Allen are perennial 1,000-yard receivers. Odunze was a stud at Washington, and some even feel he may be the best receiver in this draft class. Kmet is a budding star. Swift is coming off of a breakout 2023 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

It could make things easier for him. Or, it could make things exceedingly difficult.

That all depends on how Caleb Williams handles himself heading into the NFL.