The Chicago Bears confirmed expectations and selected quarterback Caleb Williams, from the University of Southern California (USC), with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, this Thursday, in Detroit (USA). The player received his new jersey from the hands of the league commissioner, Roger Goodell.
Williams was the favorite for the top pick even before his second and final season as USC’s starting quarterback. He had stunned the college football world in his first season with the California team, after transferring from Oklahoma, where he played in the 2021 championship. In 2022, Caleb threw 42 touchdown passes with just five interceptions in 14 games and led USC to a campaign of 11 wins and three defeats. He received the Heisman Trophy for the best college player of the year.
Despite a 2023 season with fewer touchdown passes and a campaign of just seven wins and five losses, Williams has not lost his position as the most promising talent of his generation. His powerful arm, his ability to extend plays when pressured and his creativity are the characteristics that catch the eyes of American football experts.
He was witty when commenting on his priorities after being chosen first in the Draft:
– Knowing the names of my teammates, their families, learning the playbook, and getting ready to win some games – said Caleb.
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Reinforced team around Williams
The quarterback joins a team that has been looking for a reliable starter for the position for years. His predecessor, Justin Fields, showed sparks of brilliance in three seasons in Chicago, especially with his running speed, but he didn’t have the consistency as a passer that was expected. The franchise sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for conditional picks in the fourth and sixth rounds of the 2025 Draft.
The Bears invested heavily in Free Agency (market for free pass players) to reinforce the attack around Caleb Williams, with wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift as the main reinforcements. The next focus should be on strengthening the offensive line to protect the new quarterback.
The NFL Draft continues until Saturday, April 27th. This Thursday, the first round takes place; on Friday, starting at 7pm (Brasília time), the second and third rounds take place, and on Saturday, starting at 12pm, recruitment ends with the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Eminem and Lions legends on stage
As usual, football fans booed Commissioner Goodell as he took the stage to begin the event. But with Detroit-raised rapper Eminem in attendance, the boos quickly turned to cheers. And the musician also brought current players from the local team, the Detroit Lions, as well as Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, legends of the franchise.
After Williams, two other quarterbacks were selected in sequence, only the fourth time in the history of the Draft that the top 3 has only players from this position. With the second pick, the Washington Commanders selected Jayden Daniels, QB from LSU, and with the third pick, the New England Patriots took Drake Maye, from North Carolina. With the fourth pick, the Arizona Cardinals were the first to draft a player from another position: wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr, from Ohio State University and son of the legendary Marvin Harrison Sr.
