Bears' Caleb Williams Explains Why He Stopped Painting His Nails During Rookie Season

Dating back to his college days, painted nails have been part of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' signature look, but he went in a different direction midway through his rookie year, and provided some insight into why this week.

Speaking to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, Williams suggested that the long slog of a rookie season during which the team experienced limited success contributed to his choice to go away from the painted-nail aesthetic.

"It was hard to do," Williams said. "We were losing, and days were long trying to figure out how to get things back on track. I think also part of it was the rookie year. It got a little tiring at the end."

After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and following it up with another strong season at USC in 2023, Williams went first overall to the Bears in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Bears thought so highly of Williams that they moved on from Justin Fields, hoping that Williams could be the franchise quarterback they have been searching for over the past few decades.

Considering he was a rookie, Williams turned in a solid individual performance last season, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 489 yards.

However, he also took a league-high 68 sacks, and the Bears went just 5-12 as a team.

Chicago's fourth straight season outside the playoffs led to some major staff changes, including the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Things are looking up entering the 2025 campaign, though, as the Bears hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach.

Johnson coached a top-five offense in terms of both total yards and scoring in each of his three seasons as Detroit's OC, which suggests he may be the ideal coach to unlock Williams' immense potential.

With optimism surrounding the organization, Williams has returned to his roots, as he was back to painting his nails during training camp and the preseason, per Cronin.

"Part of it's just me being myself and just [being] unapologetic about it," Williams said. "And you know, I'm not going to apologize about it. I'm gonna be me. It doesn't bother me what people have to say about me because I know what I am. I know who I am and what I like to do."

Williams has been an unapologetically great quarterback for much of his life as well, and the pieces are in place for him to take a huge leap forward during his second season.

With Johnson calling the shots, plus a revamped offensive line and an arsenal of weapons headlined by wide receivers D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, and running back D'Andre Swift, the Bears could prove to be one of the biggest risers of the 2025 campaign.