Caleb Williams will officially start under center for the Chicago Bears for the 2024 season.
The No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft had always been expected to secure the starting spot ahead of Tyson Bagent or Brett Rypien but Matt Eberflus made it official Friday.
The Bears wasted no time in locking in their starter with the decision reportedly being announced on the first day of on-field rookie workouts.Â
The move allows Williams plenty of time to familiarize himself with Chicago’s offensive setup ahead of Week 1 of the new NFL season.Â
Bagent, 23, is expected to serve as the backup. He started four games as an undrafted rookie last season.
Caleb Williams will officially start under center for the Chicago Bears for the 2024 season
![The No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft had always been expected to secure the starting spot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/18/84718283-13405053-image-a-2_1715363104791.jpg)
The No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft had always been expected to secure the starting spot
![Tyson Bagent, 23, is expected to serve as the backup to the rookie signal caller](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/18/84718257-13405053-image-a-1_1715363101829.jpg)
Tyson Bagent, 23, is expected to serve as the backup to the rookie signal callerÂ
Eberflus didn’t mince words when announcing the decision on Williams. ‘No conversation. He’s the starter,’ Eberflus said.
The 22-year-old signal caller said he’s ready to take the steps to learn how to lead.
‘To be a great leader, you have to learn how to follow first. So right now I’m following all the vets, I’m following all the coaches, I’m listening — having both ears open and my mouth shut — just kind of sitting back listening,’ he said.Â
‘When I get to the point of when I learn everything, when I learn the ways of how we do it, the culture, the playbook and what the offensive line, wide receivers are all doing, running backs and tight ends, things like that, then you can start taking the lead, then you can start taking the helms of it and take the next steps.
‘For right now though, I’m listening more than I’m speaking and talking and I’m taking it one step at a time and being in the moment.’
Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023.
In three seasons at Oklahoma (2021) and USC combined, Williams put up prolific passing numbers: 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with 27 rushing TDs.
Bagent completed 94 of 143 passes for 859 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions in five games last season.
![Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/18/84718309-13405053-image-a-3_1715363134906.jpg)
Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023
![The 22-year-old signal caller said he's ready to take the steps to learn how to lead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/18/84718307-13405053-image-a-4_1715363138123.jpg)
The 22-year-old signal caller said he’s ready to take the steps to learn how to lead
The Bears bolstered their roster with two superstar picks in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft; selecting wide-receiving sensation Rome Odunze with the ninth alongside the highly-coveted quarterback.Â
The Bears have just three playoff appearances since the 2006 team advanced to the Super Bowl. And in two of them, they failed to advance. Chicago’s lone Super Bowl champion remains the 1985 team, but there’s certainly a buzz blowing through the Windy City.
They look like they might be ready to turn a corner after going a combined 10-24 in their first two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus, having also acquired six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bears added another potential playmaker at the position when they drafted All-American Odunze of Washington at No. 9. But above all else, they think they have their franchise quarterback.