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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

What Bears GM Ryan Poles learned about Caleb Williams from teammates, coaches

The Chicago Bears are expected to draft quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, the league’s worst-kept secret, in next month’s NFL draft.

Following the trade of Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there’s no doubt Chicago will go quarterback at No. 1 — and there’s a 99.9% chance it’s Williams.

There’s no denying Williams’ special skillset, which has some believing he’s a generational talent. But the Bears stressed the importance of the person as much as the player.

Chicago brass, including general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, spent a lot of time with Williams during the week of his pro day. They had dinner with Williams, worked with him at the USC facility and got a chance to observe and talk with Williams and teammates. And one thing was overwhelmingly clear: Williams is loved by all.

“When you talk to his teammates, they don’t like him, they love him,” Poles said at the NFL owners meetings, via Josh Schrock. “His leadership, how he brings people together. He’s intentional with his leadership. Same goes with the staff. I’m having a hard time finding a person that doesn’t like him or even love him and thinks that he can reach the highest limits. The feedback’s been good.”

The Bears will host Williams for a Top 30 visit during the first week of April, where Eberflus said they’ll continue install. Essentially, it sounds like they’ll get a jumpstart on teaching Williams the new offense.

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