Caleb Williams Named Bears' QB1 over Tyson Bagent After 2024 NFL Draft

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus named rookie Caleb Williams the team's starting quarterback Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The announcement comes as little surprise since the Bears used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to take the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of USC.

With Williams as the starter, Tyson Bagent is the likely backup after starting four games as an undrafted rookie last season.

Chicago ended up with the No. 1 overall pick thanks to a trade with the Carolina Panthers prior to last year's draft.

While Justin Fields made some progress during his three years as the Bears' quarterback, Chicago traded the 2021 first-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, making it clear that it intended to select Williams.

Like Fields, Williams put up huge numbers as a dual-threat quarterback at a marquee program in college.

En route to winning the Heisman in 2022, Williams completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 382 yards and 10 scores as well.

He wasn't quite as good last season, but he still produced for the Trojans, completing 68.6 percent of his passing attempts for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five picks to go along with 142 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

The Bears spent the offseason loading up on offensive talent in anticipation of Williams' arrival, as they acquired veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers and signed running back D'Andre Swift.

They also selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 draft, and they are returning 1,300-yard receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet from last year's team.

It is rare that a quarterback steps into such a tailor-made situation, but seemingly all of the pieces are in place for Williams to thrive right out of the gates.

While the Bears went 7-10 last season and haven't reached the playoffs since 2020, reaching the postseason in 2024 is a realistic goal if Williams hits the ground running.