Caleb Williams Won’t Get Ahead of Himself Despite Dazzling at Crowded Pro Day
Caleb Williams used his words carefully, saying it’s possible he could be playing for the Chicago Bears in the fall. He also said it’s exciting knowing that Keenan Allen could “possibly” be his wide receiver at the pro level.
He even took it as far as saying it’s possible that he’ll be picked during next month’s draft. That one made the horde of reporters chuckle, including the Chicago beat reporters who made the trip to sunny Southern California for USC’s pro day Wednesday morning.
“I wanted to come out here and put on a show,” Williams said. “I’ve been training for this next step. It’s only about 30 days out until [I’m] possibly picked.”
Williams, the presumptive No. 1 pick, brought out a crowd of scouts, head coaches, general managers and possible future teammates for his highly anticipated pro day workout. Perhaps Williams didn’t want to assume that the Bears will be taking him with the No. 1 pick on April 25 because, according to Williams, all 32 NFL teams had at least one representative in attendance to watch USC’s prospects work out on the field named after Allyson Felix, the track and field legend.
Williams did not throw at last month’s NFL scouting combine, opting instead to workout for scouts, coaches and front offices at USC’s pro day on Wednesday.
Zach Bolinger/Imago
Williams saying “possibly” gives the 31 other teams some hope of drafting the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and signal-caller who has received comparisons to Aaron Rodgers. Besides the Bears, maybe the Washington Commanders have a realistic chance of selecting Williams because they own the No. 2 pick and they reside in the quarterback’s hometown.
So just in case there’s a chance, the Commanders had coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Adam Peters on the field an hour before Williams emerged from the stadium entrance near the track and field starting line. With cleats in hand, the bulky 6’1”, 217-pound Williams walked behind the Commanders’ cool group—cool because Kingsbury and Quinn were each sporting a backwards cap. Nearby was the contingent of Bears general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and Allen, whom the Bears acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Williams made sure to embrace both groups before joining his college teammates.
“I’ve known him for a year,” Williams said about Allen attending his pro day. “It’s exciting. He came off one of his best years, so that’s really exciting to possibly be able to have him as a wide receiver. Him coming off his best year, all the knowledge you can get from somebody like that would be great.”
If the Commanders are the cool group, then Bears brass could be referred to as the white attire crew. Poles, in his white hoodie, and Eberflus, in his white long sleeve, stood behind Williams when his throwing session commenced. It wasn’t an intense workout, and the Bears likely already knew what they would be getting in Williams, but Poles and Eberflus attentively watched every throw.
“It was great,” Williams said about hanging with Bears brass a day earlier. “I don’t think I really need to learn much, just building a relationship. They’re trying to see if I’m the right fit to be the first pick as a QB and go possibly as the face of the franchise. They’re trying to figure out if it’s the guy they should invest all the time, energy, effort and money into, which is obviously important in this situation. It was great building relationships.”
Coincidentally, the clouds shifted and the sun beamed on the field as Williams began his throwing session in front of the league’s shot callers. On one sideline stood Giants general manager Joe Schoen, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz, former head coach Norv Turner, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, a group of offensive assistant coaches from the Bears and a variety of scouts and coaches from the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons. Former USC quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez watched from the far right end of the sideline.
Schoen was on the far left end of the sideline to watch the deep connections between Williams and his receivers. The New York Giants, who might have reservations about Daniel Jones, probably don’t have a chance at nabbing Williams unless they trade up from the No. 6 pick, but it doesn’t hurt to scout the Trojans’ wideouts, including Brenden Rice, the son of San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice.
“I missed a few passes deep,” Williams said of his throwing session. “Threw it a little bit over their heads. I didn't give them enough room for error with the ball flight.”
Williams was being hard on himself for a workout he didn’t need to do because he’s probably, not possibly, going to be the No. 1 pick next month. But it bodes well that he was willing to throw to showcase his USC teammates.
Another reason why the Bears will possibly select Williams with the first pick.
