Caleb Williams Showing Improvement Early In Training Camp
The Chicago Bears have seen clear improvement from rookie first-round quarterback Caleb Williams in the early stages of training camp. Specifically, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has seen improvement in Williams' operation of the offense, from learning the verbiage to using cadence as a weapon. The first overall pick out of USC in April's NFL draft struggled in offseason practices while going up a strong Bears defense, but he appears to be taking the next step early this summer. The 22-year-old is going to need to keep it up as he gets closer to making his NFL debut this fall as the immediate starter under for the Bears in 2024. It's great news for fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues. Williams has an excellent supporting cast in Chicago, which should give him high-end QB2 appeal in redraft leagues, as well, in his rookie campaign.
Bears Looking To Get Caleb Williams Preseason Reps
The Chicago Bears are working to formulate a plan for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams some reps in the preseason this August. The Bears will play their first preseason game on Aug. 1 against the Houston Texans in this year's Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. The Bears want to give the No. 1 overall pick ample action in preseason games and have been discussing it since the spring. Chicago believes the reps Williams gets in practice against the Bears defense will also be valuable, and they'll also have a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 15. The former USC QB is hoping to learn the team's offense "as fast as possible" as he heads into his first NFL season as the starter in Week 1 this fall. The 22-year-old was clearly the most NFL-ready signal-caller in the 2024 draft class and could have low-end QB1 fantasy value in the right matchups in his first year with the Bears.
The Chicago Bears and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams agreed to terms on his rookie deal on Tuesday, according to sources. The rookie quarterback out of USC will received a slotted four-year, $39.49 million fully guaranteed contract that includes a $25.5 million signing bonus. Unsurprisingly, the 22-year-old was named the team's starting signal-caller back in May after the team traded Justin Fields to the Steeler and selected Williams with the first overall pick in April's draft. In addition to being the most NFL-ready QB in this year's draft class, Williams heads to Chicago with plenty of offensive weapons around him, giving him low-end QB1/high-end QB2 upside in fantasy in his first year in the league. His dual-threat abilities as a passer and rusher make him by far and away the most attractive dynasty/keeper QB this year.
Caleb Williams Not Involved In Contract Discussions
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams remains without a contract. Yet, the rookie is apparently not concerned about it, considering he reported he hasn't been involved in negotiations. "I'm not handling that," said Williams when asked about a potential deal. "My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That's not my position that I'm handling." There are several issues holding things up. However, Williams doesn't have an NFLPA-certified agent, so it's unknown who is orchestrating things behind the scenes on his behalf. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick has plenty of pressure on him heading into his inaugural year, especially since he is replacing Justin Fields, a move that didn't sit well with some. With that said, Williams is expected to have more than a few impressive rookie showings, although fantasy managers should expect growing pains.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reportedly had plenty of expected rookie struggles at last week's OTAs, but Zach Pearson of Bear Report said he had one of his best showings during Friday's seven-on-seven period. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of USC completed 13 of his 14 passing attempts and threw a touchdown to DJ Moore. Needless to say, it's not a good idea to overvalue reports from practices with no live rushers on defense, but any sign of growth is encouraging. While rookie quarterbacks usually struggle in real life and fantasy football, Williams arguably has the best supporting cast any No. 1 overall pick has ever had. With pass-catchers like Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D'Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett surrounding him, he could post low-end QB1 numbers in Year 1.
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft out of USC, has looked like a rookie in the early going at organized team activities this week. The Bears are hoping that their strong defense will prepare the rookie QB and help him improve by the time he's facing other teams in games that matter. The Bears are installing a new offense under coordinator Shane Waldron and have a rookie signal-caller learning the speed and intricacies at the next level, so it's not exactly a surprise that he's struggling early on. Williams also hasn't had first-rounder Rome Odunze or Keenan Allen to throw to. Odunze is sitting out with a minor injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into Williams' early struggles against a strong defense in voluntary offseason workouts, but it's certainly worth noting.
Chicago Bears quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will begin his career at home against the Tennessee Titans, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The former USC star will have no shortage of weapons to work with to begin his career, so he could get out to a hot start with Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and Rome Oduzne out wide. Tennessee was a middle-of-the-pack team against the pass last season, but the organization signed former Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson as their defensive coordinator and added cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie to the back end of the defense. Overall, it should be a great first test for one of the highest-regarded quarterback prospects of the 21st century.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus officially named rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as the team's starting QB on Friday at rookie minicamp. Everyone already knew that Williams would be Chicago's starting signal-caller when they selected him first overall in last month's NFL draft out of USC. The path was cleared for the 22-year-old when they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the offseason. There's always a learning curve for rookies that start right out of the gates in the NFL, but Williams may have the best chance for immediate success given all the weapons he has around him, especially in the passing attack. The trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze -- not to mention tight end Cole Kmet -- will help Williams immensely. As far as his fantasy value for Year 1 in the NFL, Williams will be on the QB2 map with upside.
Bears Take Caleb Williams First Overall In 2024 Draft
The Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, as expected, in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Last year's draft trade with the Carolina Panthers allowed Chicago to move to the No. 1 spot this year. Williams was the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Bears for the entire pre-draft process, and it became more apparent when they dealt Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a month ago. Not only is the 22-year-old the safest QB prospect in this year's class, but he's entering a situation in Chicago that should be conducive to immediate success in real life and in fantasy. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be the clear top pick in rookie-only fantasy drafts this fall and should be in play in two-QB leagues in 2024 as well.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the potential No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, made his top-30 facility visit to the Chicago Bears on Wednesday, according to sources. Williams was in town for dinner on Tuesday night as well. It's likely his only visit with Chicago before they most likely take him with the No. 1 overall pick later this month. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is the consensus top QB prospect in this year's draft class. The Bears tipped their hand by already trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, so Williams is fully expected to be taken first overall as Chicago's next franchise signal-caller. Williams' college production fell off in his final year in 2023, but he's still likely to start right away in Week 1 of his rookie season in the NFL this fall.
