The Bears players are really showing how much faith they have in their star rookie quarterback who is quickly becoming the face of the team.
Caleb Williams, Chicago's No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been named one of the team's eight captains, it was announced Monday.
According to ESPN, the team's starting quarterback is believed to be the only first-year player in franchise history to be named a captain for an entire season.
On offense, receiver DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Mercedes Lewis will join the team, while the defensive captains will be linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Kevin Baird.
“To be a great leader, you first have to learn to follow,” Williams told reporters in May. “So right now, I'm following all of the veterans, all of the coaches. I'm listening. I have both ears open and my mouth closed. I'm just sitting and listening. And once I've learned everything — the playbook, the culture, how the offensive line, the wide receivers, the running backs, the tight ends — then I can start to take leadership roles. Then I can take the helm of it all and take the next step.”
There was a lot of talk about concerns about Williams' leadership ability at USC prior to the draft and throughout the offseason, but Williams appears to have quieted those concerns with his new organization.
Bears general manager Ryan Foles described Williams' leadership style as “pretty natural.”
“It's not like he's forcing it,” Foles said, according to ESPN. “We've all been on teams and some guys put themselves in those situations and try too hard. It's awkward. It's hard to accept. But some guys are just genuine and authentic and they naturally get through it. And that's what he did.”
The Bears were coming off a 7-10 season last year, traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers in March and pinned their hopes on Williams.
Williams was solid in 43 preseason snaps, completing 10 of 20 passes for 170 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and carrying the ball twice for 20 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run.
“You see the work he puts in every day,” Moore told ESPN. “You just admire that and you can't do anything but want him to be a captain.”
