LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – In sharing his vision for the Bears’ future, president Kevin Warren on Tuesday offered a notable endorsement of the team’s most important player.
“We found a franchise quarterback,” Warren said of 23-year-old Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while starting all 17 games in his rookie season. He inspired hope despite the turmoil around him, as the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Nov. 12 and dismissed head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 in their 5-12 season.
In his second NFL season, Williams will almost certainly work with his third head coach given that interim head coach Thomas Brown isn’t expected to land the full-time job. He’ll also work with the fourth individual to own the title of offensive coordinator during Williams’ short tenure in Chicago. Waldron, Brown and interim offensive coordinator Chris Beatty held that title at various points during the 2024 season.
When asked Tuesday to state his own case for remaining on the job, Bears general manager Ryan Poles pointed toward Williams’ future as a main reason why there’s belief at Halas Hall.
“He hasn’t even hit close to his ceiling and hit a lot of milestones that haven't been hit here in a very long time,” Poles said.
Williams’ 3,541 passing yards were the fifth-most by a Bears quarterback in a single season. He became the 13th quarterback in franchise history to throw for 20 touchdowns in a season.
What’s best for Williams’ future will be at the forefront of the Bears’ coaching search, as the team will ask each candidate to present a plan for how to best develop him. That search process is underway at Halas Hall.
“For a young quarterback, obviously, there’s an ideal fit,” Pole said. “But at the end of the day, you got to look at all the characteristics of what you're looking for in a head coach, and then you got to see what’s the best bundle of those to bring in the building. Obviously, we’re talking about leadership, accountability, some of those important things that carry over, regardless of what the situation is. Those have to be there.
“Really, it’s the candidate that has the best collection of all those things. Yes, the development of a young quarterback is going to be a huge factor in that.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.