ESPN: Caleb Williams' transition to Chicago Bears offense is 'an adjustment'

Caleb Williams was the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears for a reason, just go look at his college tape at USC and Oklahoma. But learning the Bears’ offensive system has been a bit of an adjustment, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Now, Williams is still showcasing the abilities that made him a can’t-miss prospect.

So think of minicamp and OTAs as a bit of an experiment while he grasps different NFL concepts.

“So the word out of Chicago for the people I’ve talked to is that Caleb Williams used his strong arm for what he should use it for in minicamp and OTAs, which is to test it out,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “See what he can get away with as a young player. So he would throw it in between two defensive backs, see if that’s an interception or if it’s a throw that he can make at the NFL game. He has that kind of confidence and that did show, so the Bears were impressed with his willingness to take risks to make those tough throws. 

“The transition has been the new offense with the play-action run-based systems and stuff under center. They tried to give him incrementally more and more that I’m told he’s responded well, but it’s taking some time. It’s an adjustment, but they are pleased with where he’s at now.”

Williams was just one of the notable additions to the Bears. They also drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick and brought in Keenan Allen via trade to join a room with D.J. Moore after his 1,000-yard season. D’Andre Swift is also in the mix as Poles added playmakers with new coordinator Shane Waldron coming in.

But the star is sure to be Williams, and head coach Matt Eberflus expects he’ll handle it all just fine after spending his college career in the limelight.

“I do,” Eberflus said. “I really do. … And I do think he’s suited for that because he’s comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is and he’s been out there for several years in terms of in the media, in the focus, Heisman winner. All those things that he’s done. He’ll be good.”

Good is right. Perhaps even great when it’s all said and done. He’s only a rookie, but there’ll surely be a lot of expectations on Williams’ shoulders this season.