The Chicago Bears announced the team captains for the 2024 NFL season on Monday and had a surprising name on the list.
Rookie quarterback and first overall pick Caleb Williams will officially have the "C" on his chest for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. It's a high honor for a rookie to receive going into their first NFL season and shows how much he means to the team.
The other team captains will be linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker T.J. Edwards, wide receiver DJ Moore, safety Kevin Byard, tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and tight end Marcedes Lewis.
It's generally rare to see a rookie earn captain status during their first NFL season, but Williams certainly has earned that honor this offseason. The team's new franchise quarterback quickly won over the locker room and the entire organization upon arriving at Halas Hall thanks to his genuine personality and eager work ethic.
"It's fairly natural, it's not forced," general manager Ryan Poles said about Williams last week. "We've all been in teams before but there's people that come into those situations and they try too hard and it's like 'Man, that's awkward' and it's hard to buy into that. Then there's guys that can just navigate that so naturally because they're authentic and it's real. That's what he's done. On top of that, as a professional player you have to perform, you have to do some things that guys are like 'Ok, there's something different about you' and then pair that with good social skills, some cool things happen and leadership starts to blossom and that's what you see now."
It's great to see Williams continue to get overwhelming support from the Bears organization, his coaches, and his teammates going into his first NFL season.
Another surprise making the list was another newcomer in Chicago who's made his presence known in a big way this summer. Veteran safety Kevin Byard has quickly become a leader in the secondary and for the defense since being signed in free agency . Head coach Matt Eberflus considered Byard to be a coach on the field and someone who has led by example everyday this summer.
"He's special, just in terms of a leader. People respect him just because of the man he is, and he's been a devoted guy to this game for a long time," Eberflus said about Byard back in June. "You can really feel that. That's palpable. You can feel the love of the game that he has. He's very respectful. He's like a coach on the field. He's got really good ball-hawking ability. That's why I like him a lot."
Another pleasant name to see make the list is veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis. Lewis is set to enter into another recorded breaking year, his 19th in the NFL. Lewis re-signed with the Bears back in June and will have a major role in the locker room .
"He helps everyone in the building, not just the players," Eberflus said . "He helps me in terms of the feel for the team and where everybody is in terms of the players. He has been a tremendous leader since I've known him, and we're certainly excited to have him back."
The Bears newly named captains will lead the team onto Soldier Field this coming Sunday to take on the Tennessee Titans in the regular season opener.
Related: How to watch and stream the Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears Week 1 matchup
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