If nothing else, quarterback Caleb Williams wished it identified shortly after the Chicago Bears made him the primary decide of the 2024 NFL Draft that he’s absolutely targeted on succeeding on the highest stage.
“To be the best or to have the ability to sit on the desk,” Williams mentioned about his mindset whereas talking with NBC Sports Chicago, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Solar-Occasions on Thursday night time. “You set goals and targets in entrance of you that you simply aren’t in a position to attain inside a yr or two, and also you attempt to go get ‘em. You need to constantly not get drained with consistency. With the ability to be the identical man, having the ability to go in there and lead the blokes and maintain them accountable, and so they maintain me accountable to go get it. Having these staff targets. The one means you’ll be able to attain them.”
People reminiscent of Ted Nguyen of The Athletic routinely identified all through the predraft course of that recreation movie confirmed Williams’ mechanics and on-the-field talents had been the very best possessed by quarterback prospects on this yr’s class. Nevertheless, some questioned Williams’ love of soccer and his need to win for Chicago or every other staff. Others wondered if he already was too distracted by supposed “off-field” pursuits.
“My final objective is immortality,” Williams straight mentioned on Thursday. “The one technique to attain that’s profitable championships. That’s huge for me and one thing that’s the reason I play the sport. I’m excited.”
Carl Williams, Caleb’s father, urged in a GQ article printed this previous September that the USC Trojans quarterback might return to school for an additional season in the event that they did not just like the staff that held the draft’s first decide. It seems each the Bears and Caleb Williams won each other over throughout his predraft go to with the membership.
“I went into it with an open mindset,” Williams mentioned about that have. “Once I acquired there and acquired round everyone – gamers, coaches, govt employees – and I went from there and I fell in love with it. I loved it. I used to be snug. Once I left there, I hopped on a name and mentioned I’m OK being right here. That is going to be alright. We’re going to do it and we’re going to have enjoyable doing it.”
As of late Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams because the betting favourite at +200 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Yr Award for the upcoming NFL season. He formally started embracing such expectations as a Chicago participant on Thursday.
