Eric Williams
NFC West Author
LOS ANGELES — The Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams are within the getting-to-know-you stage of their relationship.
Readily available to look at the projected No. 1 draft decide work out at USC Professional Day on Wednesday, Bears GM Ryan Poles, who owns that decide, sauntered over to the stands and launched himself to Williams’ mother and father, Carl Williams and Dayne Value. Poles additionally frolicked speaking with USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
The GM then watched the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner placed on clean show of pure accuracy whereas throwing to a gaggle of Trojans pass-catchers that included Brenden Rice — the son of Corridor of Fame receiver Jerry Rice — Tahj Washington and working again Marshawn Lloyd.
“He was bombing away,” mentioned a smiling Rice, who chased down a 60-yard-deep ball from Williams on the ultimate go of the day.
Williams failed to attach on simply 4 throws throughout a 20-minute throwing session that included about 50 passes.
“Good exercise,” an AFC scout informed FOX Sports activities. “I needed for extra intermediate, tight throws and deeper balls. However he confirmed good contact and accuracy.”
All 32 NFL groups had been represented on the exercise. The Bears had a big contingent on the occasion, together with Poles, assistant GM Ian Cunningham, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldren and offensive passing sport coordinator coach Thomas Brown.
Among the many different notables in attendance had been Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, New York Giants common supervisor Joe Schoen, Los Angeles Chargers common supervisor Joe Hortiz and Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
New Bears receiver Keenan Allen, just lately acquired in a commerce with the Chargers, watched the exercise as effectively. Williams and Allen shared a handshake and a hug earlier than the younger quarterback’s throwing session.
“I’ve identified Keenan for a yr now, frolicked with him a couple of instances,” Williams mentioned. “So to have him right here, and me to probably be going to the identical staff as him now after realizing him for a yr, it is thrilling.”
Williams didn’t do any of the testing he skipped on the NFL Scouting Mix, together with the 40-yard sprint. He measured in at just below 6-foot-1, 217 kilos and with a 9 7/8-inch hand dimension.
Williams mentioned he is placed on a couple of kilos to assist put together for the pains of taking part in within the NFL.
“I usually play at this weight,” he mentioned. “So I will be at this weight for the remainder of the yr. … Weight-wise, I have been capable of take a couple of hits, particularly early on, with the ability to pop up earlier than the man that hit you.”
Afterward, Williams confirmed that he met with Bears representatives on Monday, however he mentioned he does not know when he’ll go to staff headquarters.
“I do not assume I actually need to be taught a lot, simply construct the connection,” Williams mentioned when requested about his assembly with the Bears. “They’re making an attempt to see if I am the suitable match as the primary decide for the QB as they try to construct the franchise. They’re making an attempt to determine if that is the man they need to make investments all their time and vitality in, which is clearly necessary on this state of affairs.
“So it was nice in constructing that relationship.”
It doesn’t matter what occurs on draft day subsequent month, Williams says he is simply extraordinarily excited for the chance to play on the subsequent stage.
“It is one thing I have been ready for, dreaming for,” he mentioned.
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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