NFL draft first overall pick Caleb Williams predicted the Chicago Bears will “win a lot of games and have a lot of fun” after the NFL side overcame a slow start to make it three wins from three in pre-season with a 27-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field.
Williams showed flashes of inspiration and sped away following a scramble to his left to touch down, although he conceded the Bears “weren’t at our best”.
“Between the guys and myself, we have an understanding of excellence and perfection that we know we will never be able to fully accomplish,” said the 22-year-old.
“But with that mindset, it only allows us to be better. It also allows me to be easy and calm. And when it’s time for me to speak up and do something, I’ll be right there to do so.”
Respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/lMDEmOyjVp
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Chicago Bears vs Cincinnati Bengals
“We started out slow and you can’t do that in the NFL, myself included,” acknowledged Williams. “We’re going to get a lot better and keep growing.
“I gave up a sack when I was in the pocket too long, trying to do something too much. There were small things that always add up to be big things. It always adds up: super-minute things. In the game of football, you only have split seconds.”
An improvisational long pass to fellow newcomer Rome Odunze also stood out from Williams, who later almost set the wide receiver up for a touchdown.
So good to be home 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hSrO1zHFPM
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
Caleb Williams ‘excited’
USC graduate and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Williams had words of praise for the Bears’ defensive players, who he said have been advising him.
“Them telling me about what they see from their lens is only making me better,” he reflected. “We’re all excited that we can win a lot of games and have a lot of fun doing it.
“I’ve learnt that our defence is really good because I come up against them every day. They’ve done a great job helping me, preparing me.
“[Odunze and I are] going to be explosive. We’re two rooks but we’re trying to catch up to the other guys as fast as we can to make sure that we’re right up there on par with them.
“Having a guy like that, who was drafted with me, we’re only going to keep growing and building our connection.”
