The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and are expected to select USC Trojan quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams has been in the draft conversation this offseason, with teams taking note of his potential as a prospect.
Chicago recently showed they are fully committed to acquiring Williams by trading away their starting quarterback. After winning the Heisman Trophy with USC in 2022, Williams became one of the most hyped players in recent memory.
He has the skill set to turn this team into a competitive one, and the Bears believe he is the right fit for them. However, if Chicago selects Williams, he will need to prove himself in the league against the veteran players on the roster.
Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson appeared on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. He discussed how Williams would be received in Chicago's locker room, and he didn't hold back.
“You can't bring Hollywood elements into this building, especially the guys who have been in the league for years playing this game at a high level. It's guys like me, guys like Tremaine and T.J. For players like, it's just, I mean veterans, Keenan Allen right now, I feel like if you just ask certain people in the locker room, we'll find out. You have to prove yourself, like what you did in college or in Hollywood. It doesn't matter.”
Even though Williams found success in college, this is a whole new level of competition for him. He will be competing against grown men whose performance on the field has a direct impact on their financial lives off the field.
He can't rely on the success he saw in college and will have to work with the players on his team to earn a living. But Johnson said Bears players also need to get to know him better before making judgments.
“I think there's a fine line between proving a point to him and getting to know him. At the end of the day, we want him to be the best he can be and to win games. That's why we brought him.”
Williams has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but once he gets drafted, the hard work begins. He will be scrutinized from every angle and it will be up to him to overcome any adversity.
