Bears rookie quarterback expected to top talented crop of first-year passers

The spotlight is always on the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft, and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will have the eyes of the football world upon him from his first snap of the regular season.

Expectations for Williams are high, both inside the Bears’ organization and from the media. On Tuesday, Draftwire’s Jeff Risdon said Williams should be the top signal-caller in this year’s talented crop of passers by season’s end.

Williams was the first of six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying the 1983 draft for the most in NFL history.

“A superior supporting cast earns Williams the nod over Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Denver’s Bo Nix,” Risdon said., a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, which selects the All-Rookie team.

During the preseason he completed 10-of-20 pass attempts for 170 yards without a touchdown or a turnover and posted a 79.2 passer rating. Williams led the Chicago offense to three scores, including a rushing touchdown , in seven possessions.

Williams just missed out on head coach Matt Eberflus’ goal of him taking between 45 and 55 snaps, finishing with 42 reps over two games.

He will not play in the Bears’ preseason finale on Thursday against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

"Overall, I thought a good preseason for him," Eberflus said.

The Bears open the regular season on September 8 against the Tennesse Titans at home in Solider Field.

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