The Bears players are truly showing how much they believe in their star rookie quarterback as he starts to become the face of the franchise.
Caleb Williams, who Chicago picked No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, was voted one of the team’s eight captains it was announced Monday.
The team’s starting QB is believed to be the franchise’s only first-year player ever to be voted a season-long captain, according to ESPN.
From the offense, he joins receiver DJ Moore and tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis. The defensive captains will be linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Kevin Byard.
Caleb Williams was named one of the Bears’ eight captains this season. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“To be a great leader, you’ve got to learn how to follow first,” Williams told reporters in May. “So, right now I’m following all the vets, I’m following all the coaches. I’m listening — having both ears open and my mouth shut. Just kind of sitting back, listening. And when I get to the point of, when I learn everything, when I learn the ways of how we do it — the playbook, the culture, and what the offensive line, wide receivers are all doing, running backs, tight ends, and things like that, then you can start taking the lead. Then you can start taking the helm of all of it and take the next steps.”
Concerns about Williams’ leadership skills at USC were a big talking point around him heading into the draft and during the offseason. But he appears to have quieted those with his new organization.
Bears GM Ryan Foles called Williams’ leadership style ‘fairly natural.”
“It’s not forced, Foles said, according to ESPN “We’ve all been in teams before, but like there’s people that come into those situations and they try too hard. It’s like, man, it’s awkward. It’s hard to buy into that. Then there’s guys that they can navigate that so naturally because they’re authentic and it’s real, and that’s what he’s done.”
The Bears moved on from quarterback Justin Fields – trading him to the Steelers in March – after a 7-10 season a year ago, pinning their hopes on Williams.
Caleb Williams will start Week 1 for the Bears. Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Williams was solid during his 43 preseason snaps, going 10 of 20 passing for 170 yards, without throwing a touchdown or an interception. He also carried the ball twice for 20 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown.
“You see the work that he was putting in day in and day out,” Moore said, per ESPN. “I mean you can’t do anything but respect that and want him to be a captain for you.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 12:45:00
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