The Chicago Bears are preparing to draft quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. This decision was made early on, even before they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once Fields was no longer with the team, the Bears were able to focus on preparing Williams for his transition to the NFL.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer outlined the Bears’ pre-draft process with Williams. They used three one-hour Zoom meetings to help Williams learn and understand Shane Waldron’s offensive system. The first meeting focused on teaching him the terminology, the second on installing base plays, and the third on red zone and third-down plays.
Head coach Matt Eberflus emphasized the importance of having their offense installed for OTAs and rookie minicamp, ensuring Williams was familiar with the plays before hitting the practice field. Williams is now applying what he has learned during organized team activities with his veteran teammates.
The Bears have created an ideal situation for a rookie quarterback like Williams. Not only did they start installing the offense early, but Williams also has a talented group of weapons to work with, including DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. Additionally, the team has improved its offensive line and has a top-10 defense, setting Williams up for success in his rookie season.
