Bears QBs coach: Caleb's development 'light years ahead'
After an impressive showing at rookie minicamp, the Chicago Bears are crediting Caleb Williams' early development to his pre-draft prep.
With Williams a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Bears, he asked Chicago to provide some footwork and cadence techniques to work on before the draft with his personal quarterbacks coach, Will Hewlett. The work has seemingly paid off for the rookie passer.
"Will did a great job with him of prepping him for what we're about to do now," Bears quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph said Monday, according to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. "Coming into this minicamp, he was light years ahead of the information that he already had."
The 2022 Heisman winner is entering the NFL with as much hype as any first pick in recent memory after a standout college career.
Joseph said the star quarterback is doing everything possible to fulfill those sky-high expectations.
"He's one of those guys who want to know why," Joseph said. "You put something in, you put a play in, you talk about it, you give him the progressions, whether it's run or pass, he wants to know why. Last night, probably about 10:30 or 11 o'clock, he texts me, 'Hey, why are we doing this here? Why are we blocking it like that? Isn't that his guy to block?'
"He just wants to know. He wants to know those answers. So, when you have a guy like that, he's hungry for it, and you love to know that because now he becomes a coach on the field for you. Once he gets it and learns this whole system, he'll become a coach on the field now."
Unlike most quarterbacks picked at No. 1, Williams will join a loaded offense in Chicago, which went 7-10 last season but got the top selection as part of a 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears used the No. 9 pick to land receiver Rome Odunze and form a talented trio that includes DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who was acquired in a March trade. Chicago also boasts Cole Kmet - who had the second-most touchdowns among tight ends in 2023 - and 1,000-yard rusher D'Andre Swift.
As expected, Chicago wasted no time announcing Williams as its starter for the 2024 campaign.
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