Caleb Williams has already expressed confidence in the Bears’ offense.
After Chicago selected Iowa State punter Torrie Taylor with the 122nd pick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft texted Taylor about his upcoming workload.
Or, in fact, lack of it.
“Hey, you better not punt too much here,” Williams wrote. According to The Athletic.
At their disposal on offense are veteran receiver Keenan Allen, who was traded from the Chargers, and former Washington wideout Roma Odunze, who was selected ninth overall.
If Williams’ promise comes true, it would be a very different game for Taylor, who led the nation in punt attempts (93) and total punt yards (4,479) with the Hawkeyes last year.
The 6-foot-4, 231-pound native of Melbourne, Australia, is jokingly known as the Hawkeyes’ secret weapon after allowing the fewest yards per game of offense in the 2023 college season (235.4 yards). was.
Taylor averaged 48.2 yards per punt.
The Bears’ selection of Taylor is the highest draft pick ever taken on a punter since the 49ers selected Mitch Wishnowski with the 110th overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Williams, plucked from the University of Southern California, was one of the top three names to emerge within the first three overall picks after a successful senior season.
In his final year, Williams gained 3,633 yards with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games, giving him a quarterback rating of 170.1.
