Caleb Williams reflects on transition to NFL during Hall of Fame Game

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans kicked off the NFL preseason with the 2024 Hall of Fame Game. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams did not participate in the contest but provided details on his offseason improvements from the sideline.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been on the football field — since November 18. So, being able to get out here and play a game, that time is coming soon,” Williams said. “I told Coach [Matt Eberflus] how exciting it feels to be back out on the field finally and that was just for warm-ups, let alone just getting out here and playing.

“Within our protection game, I would say I’ve grown the most. Flipping protections, making checks, getting us out of stuff — I think I’ve gotten a lot better with that. [I’m] still progressing, still growing.”

Fans have high expectations for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the 2022 campaign at USC, Williams threw for 4,537 yards, ran for 382 yards and totaled 50 touchdowns — 40 in the air and 10 on the ground. He was named the Heisman Trophy winner for his efforts.

In 2023, Williams could not replicate his outlandish success but he still was a star on the field. He threw for 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns to go with 11 rushing scores. USC finished the season with a 7-5 record, but Williams never gave up on his Trojans.

Caleb Williams has high hurdles ahead of him

He will need the same determination at the next level. The Chicago Bears have not had a winning season since 2018 when they went 12-4 in the regular season before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs.

Last season, the Bears posted a 7-10 record, a significant improvement from the team’s 3-14 mark during their first year under head coach Matt Eberflus in 2022. Williams is willing to focus on the most mundane details if it leads to success.

“Football isn’t new to me, but a lot of this is new to me,” Williams said. “Just progressing, soaking up all the information I can… The evening walkthroughs even because those will build championship habits and things like that throughout time.

“The position that I’m in — I’m so grateful, but I also want to soak up all the information and grow from it.”