Caleb Williams embracing lofty, historic goals with Bears

If nothing else, quarterback Caleb Williams wanted it known shortly after the Chicago Bears made him the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft that he is fully focused on succeeding at the highest level. 

"To be the greatest or to be able to sit at the table," Williams said about his mindset while speaking with NBC Sports Chicago, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday night. "You put dreams and goals in front of you that you aren’t able to reach within a year or two, and you try to go get ‘em. You have to consistently not get tired with consistency. Being able to be the same guy, being able to go in there and lead the guys and hold them accountable, and they hold me accountable to go get it. Having those team goals. The only way you can reach them." 

Individuals such as Ted Nguyen of The Athletic routinely pointed out throughout the predraft process that game film showed Williams' mechanics and on-the-field abilities were the best possessed by quarterback prospects in this year's class. However, some questioned Williams' love of football and his desire to win for Chicago or any other team. Others wondered if he already was too distracted by supposed "off-field" interests. 

"My last goal is immortality," Williams directly said on Thursday. "The only way to reach that is winning championships. That’s big for me and something that is the reason I play the game. I’m excited."

Carl Williams, Caleb's father, suggested in a GQ article published this past September that the USC Trojans quarterback could return to college for another season if they didn't like the team that held the draft's first pick. It appears both the Bears and Caleb Williams won each other over during his predraft visit with the club. 

"I went into it with an open mindset," Williams said about that experience. "When I got there and got around everybody – players, coaches, executive staff – and I went from there and I fell in love with it. I enjoyed it. I was comfortable. When I left there, I hopped on a call and said I’m OK being here. This is going to be alright. We’re going to do it and we’re going to have fun doing it."

As of late Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams as the betting favorite at +200 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming NFL season. He officially began embracing such expectations as a Chicago player on Thursday.