Chicago Bears flock to watch Caleb Williams at USC’s Pro Day
LOS ANGELES — You know it’s real when they meet the parents.
A few minutes before Caleb Williams took to the turf at Allyson Felix Field for USC’s Pro Day, hundreds of low-profile scouts and NFL who’s-who’s milling about in anticipation, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles sauntered over to the families in the bleachers and extended a hand to Williams’ mother Dayna Price.
They exchanged smiles, Poles cracking a joke to a hearty laugh from Price, a custom-embroidered Fight On sewn across the back of her jean jacket. He moved with a handshake to Williams’ father Carl, standing just a few paces away in a bright-red USC tee.
An hour later, after the former Trojans quarterback left the stands buzzing in a tidy Pro Day performance, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus walked over and extended the same treatment.
By the end of USC’s Pro Day on Wednesday, precious little intrigue remained in the Bears’ draft process, a few days after trading incumbent quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They hold the top pick in April’s NFL draft, and they sent an all-out fleet to USC to watch Williams throw, not invisible submarines but plainly visible battleships. Williams and Chicago have been linked for months; with the travel-sized red carpet the Bears rolled out for him on USC’s home turf, it seemed more likely than ever Williams will be USC’s first No. 1 draft choice since Carson Palmer in 2003.
When Williams trudged out to warm up, his first acknowledgement was not from family or a teammate but Chicago Bears receiver Keenan Allen, formerly of Chargers fame. They exchanged a hug, Williams saying later he’d known Allen for a year and it was “exciting” to possibly be playing for the same franchise.
“They trying to see if I’m the right fit to be first pick as a QB, and go and possibly be the face of the franchise,” Williams said Wednesday of his relationship with the Bears. “They’re trying to figure out if this is the guy that they should invest all their time, energy and effort and money into.”
He looked largely that guy Wednesday, his workout feeling not so much like a final exam but extra credit. Throwing to fellow USC prospects Tahj Washington, Brenden Rice, Austin Jones and MarShawn Lloyd – plus former Trojans receiver John Jackson – Williams largely impressed with his accuracy over the middle and to the sidelines, hitting a couple lasers that drew oohs on leaping grabs from Rice.
His deep ball fluttered, however, with a couple of underthrows sprinkled into the mix. It’s likely not a major area of concern, however, as Williams improved considerably throwing deep from 2022 to 2023 – his completion percentage on routes 20 yards or more jumping by 10% – and he was notably self-critical in speaking with reporters after the workout.
“I missed a few passes deep, threw it a little bit over their heads,” Williams said, “so I didn’t give ’em enough room for error, ball in flight.”
Above all, fitting for his final appearance on a USC field, he was a showman.
As Washington lined up for one out route, Williams gave him a look. The look. You know the look, Washington smiled later, when you’ve spent two years catching passes from him. Show ’em real quick.
And as Washington broke off the out, Williams lofted a pass pinpointed directly for the sideline, Washington running it down and snaring a pretty toe-tip grab before falling out of bounds. Williams grinned at him, trotting back. It was intentionally overthrown, Washington agreed post-workout, for his receiver to go make a play.
“For sure,” Washington said. “He does it all the time.”
A number of other Trojans left strong impressions, auditioning in front of the flock to Williams. Defensive lineman Kyon Barrs, trying to keep NFL dreams alive after a quiet senior season, moved visibly quickly for his 290-pound frame in the 40-yard dash. Safety Calen Bullock, who has drawn wide intrigue for his potential as a cornerback at the next level, handled ball drills smoothly. Lloyd, with former USC running backs coach Kiel McDonald watching – now with the Chargers – showed good hands on routes from Williams after a goal to prove himself as a pass-catcher.
Williams, though, left the final imprint Wednesday, in what will likely stand as his last public appearance as a player on USC’s campus. He dropped back free, oblivious to the nearly shoulder-to-shoulder wall of NFL scouts and executives on the sidelines, beaming throughout and leaping for a body-bump with Rice after his final toss. His final words floated long after he waved a quick good-bye to media, a final sign-off from a Heisman Trophy winner leaving to chase further glory.
“I’m excited to watch the boys go, and have their shot to win a national championship,” Williams said. “And that’s really where it’s at.”
“So fight on,” he said, walking away, “and rock out.”