The Chicago Bears’ highly anticipated new first-round draft selection is brimming with self-assurance.
Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, made an appearance on a special Chicago edition of ESPN’s “First Take,” where he joined hosts Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. During the show, he was directly asked if he believed he could replicate the impressive debut season that C.J. Stroud had with the Houston Texans as the No. 2 overall pick in 2023.
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As the 2024 NFL Draft approached, many analysts regarded Williams as one of the most promising prospects since Andrew Luck entered the league back in 2012.
This context likely explains his confident reply to Smith’s inquiry.
“Is it unreasonable for me to say I witnessed C.J. Stroud achieve that last year in Houston? I believe [you] can accomplish something similar [in Chicago] this year,” Smith posed.
Without missing a beat, Williams replied affirmatively.
“No,” he stated confidently. “It was thrilling to witness Stroud thrive as a rookie. It’s unprecedented for someone to step into such an explosive offense right away like that; we have what it takes too—so we’re just gearing up for those moments.”
The rookie quarterback stands at six feet one inch and weighs around two hundred fifteen pounds, having previously shone at both USC and Oklahoma during his college career.
C.J. Stroud transitioned from being a two-time All-American at Ohio State to making an immediate impact on a playoff-ready team in Houston last season. The six-foot-three-inch quarterback not only earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors but also secured spots on both the PFWA All-Rookie Team and Pro Bowl—a remarkable feat for any first-year player.
Stroud completed an impressive tally of three hundred nineteen passes out of four hundred ninety-nine attempts for four thousand one hundred eight yards while throwing twenty-three touchdowns against just five interceptions—culminating in a passer rating of one hundred point eight.
The Texans finished their season with ten wins and seven losses (nine wins and six losses under Stroud’s leadership), successfully clinching a playoff berth. In two postseason games, Stroud went thirty-five-for-fifty-four passing for four hundred forty-nine yards along with three touchdowns while achieving a passer rating of one hundred nine point three before falling short against Baltimore Ravens by thirty-four points to ten during Divisional round play-offs.
Williams possesses both collegiate credentials and athletic potential necessary to fulfill expectations placed upon him this upcoming season. In his Heisman-winning campaign during twenty-two thousand twenty-two, he completed three hundred thirty-three passes out of five hundred attempts (a completion rate of sixty-six point six percent), amassing four thousand five hundred thirty-seven yards alongside forty touchdown throws—leading USC Trojans towards eleven victories versus three defeats along with securing Cotton Bowl participation thereafter!
This past year saw him complete two-hundred sixty-six passes out-of-three-hundred eighty-eight attempts (sixty-eight point six percent accuracy), totaling three thousand six-hundred thirty-three passing yards while tossing another thirty touchdown strikes despite guiding USC towards less favorable seven-win-five-loss record overall! Ultimately finishing their campaign eight wins versus five losses resulting into Holiday Bowl appearance!
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This time around though? He’ll be equipped with significant receiving talent surrounding him including ninth overall draft choice Rome Odunze alongside DJ Moore plus seasoned veteran Keenan Allen who boasts multiple Pro Bowl selections—all partaking within efforts aimed toward returning postseason glory after absence since twenty-twenty!
The question remains whether or not Caleb can mirror C.J.’s success immediately? With ample resources available—including arm strength—it seems plausible yet hinges largely upon whether supporting cast matches individual aspirations effectively!