Matt Eberflus names Bears No. 1 pick Caleb Williams starting QB: ‘No conversation’

As if there was ever any doubt, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Ebeflus officially named Caleb Williams as the starter under center for the 2024 season.

“No conversation. He’s the starter,” Eberflus said Friday at the start of rookie minicamp, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Bears, coming off a 7-10 campaign, made Williams the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft last month. Williams wrapped up his collegiate career having thrown for 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 66.9% passing across one season at Oklahoma and two at USC. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushing for 382 yards and 10 scores.

When the NFL season begins this September, Williams will become the 30th quarterback to start for the Bears since 2000. The Bears, founded in 1920, have never had a 4,000-yard passer, something Williams hopes to change.

Caleb Williams surrounded by high-end talent in Chicago

Chicago has been busy this offseason giving Williams weapons to work with. In addition to having star wideout D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet in place, the Bears signed running back D’Andre Swift and acquired receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this offseason. Chicago selected former Washington receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick.

Williams has already gotten to work with Moore, who tallied a career high 1,364 yards in his first season with the Bears last season.

“Anticipation is there,” Moore said of Williams, via NBC Sports Chicago. “You can tell that he’s expecting us to be open at a certain time. That’s gonna be one of the things that’s better. Just gotta be on the same page with him going forward. It’s just gonna take some time. Maybe it’s gonna be fast, or it might take some time. But I’m hoping it’s fast.”

At some point, the Bears will be Williams’ team. But for now, he’s learning from the veterans in place on how to be a proper leader going forward.

“To be a great leader, you got to learn how to follow first,” Williams said Friday. “Right now, I’m following all the vets… having both ears open and my mouth shut.”