Caleb Williams Officially Handed Bears Starting QB Job Despite A Pre-Draft Concern

The Chicago Bears didn't select quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall draft pick last month to make the chase for their starting job into a suspenseful.

So no suspense. No mystery.

Caleb Williams is officially the Bears starting quarterback for 2024.

"No conversation," head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters at the start of the team's rookie minicamp. "He's the starter."

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus added to the confusion surrounding wide receiver Chase Claypool after loss to the Broncos. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Matt Eberflus Not Worried About Entitlement

Sorry, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien and Austin Reed. If you had the feeling you probably weren't going to win this derby, now you know that is certain.

The interesting thing is Eberflus obviously isn't worried about one of the issues the so-called anonymous scouts and draft pundits said concerned them about Williams prior to the draft: Entitlement.

Although Williams went to Oklahoma and had to sit as the backup, there were whispers that Williams typically felt like he was better than other people and didn't need to go through the usual process to be rewarded with, well, whatever.

Those whispers grew louder when Williams declined to do medical exams at the combine and said he wouldn't be visiting with all the quarterback-needy teams during the pre-draft process.

But the fact Eberflus just awarded the starting job without Williams actually earning it on the field tells everyone the coach is not concerned about that. 

Williams is taking part in the Bears' rookie minicamp and is getting his first work on the field with the team on Friday.

And before he throws one pass as a Bear under any scrutiny, he's the guy. So buzz off, draft pundits worried about entitlement.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Caleb Williams #QB14 of Southern California laughs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

Caleb Williams Has Much To Learn

Williams isn't worried about any of that. His first assignment?

"I'm still learning everybody's names," he said half-kiddingly.

But seriously, Williams had goals for his rookie year. And being named the team starter was among the first.

"Obviously, you have goals that you set for yourself right in the moment. Also, you have goals in the future," Williams said. "So, that's important. But also understanding the moment that we're in. Being in that moment is really important. Taking it a step at a time, handling it the way it needs to be handled, being a professional is really important."

Honestly, Williams sounds like the right guy to be the face of the Bears at this stage. He's got to be the team's leader – or at least the leader on offense – as the starting quarterback. 

And he's already showing a maturity about reaching that status that is, frankly, impressive.

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams holds up his jersey after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Williams Offers Great Perspective

"To be a great leader you have to learn how to follow first," Williams said. "Right now, I'm following all the vets. I'm following all the coaches. I'm listening – having both ears open and my mouth shut.

"I'm just kind of sitting back listening and when I get to the point of when I learn everything, how we do with the culture, the playbook and what the offensive line, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends are doing, then you can start taking the lead.

"Then you can start taking the helm of all of it and start taking the next steps. But right now, I'm listening more than I'm speaking and talking, and I'm taking one step at a time, being in the moment."