(670 The Score) When the Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they did so with a clear conviction.
The Bears zeroed in on Williams early in the pre-draft scouting process in a class full of quarterback talent. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks of the first round in 2024, and the early returns have been good.
After Williams went first, the Commanders selected Jayden Daniels at No. 2 and the Patriots picked Drake Maye at No. 3. The Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall before the Vikings took J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 and the Broncos chose Bo Nix at No. 12.
Each of those six quarterbacks are currently established starters for their respective teams, which are all off to 2-2 or 3-2 starts early in the season. On Monday night in Washington, Williams will match up against Daniels and his Commanders team in a primetime game at Northwest Stadium.
“It’s a pretty badass class, right,” Williams said. “Six QBs going within the first round, within the first 12. So, yeah, it’s a pretty good draft class. Obviously, guys are playing well. Just about all the guys. I think it’s going to turn out like a good class. Obviously be competing against these guys for a long time, and (I’m) excited about it.
“It’s awesome for those guys to be able to go out there and compete the way that they’ve been competing from last year to this year and excited to see where they go next.”
The 23-year-old Williams has started all 21 games in his NFL career, which is early in its second season. He has completed 62.4% of his passes for 4,468 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The Bears (2-2) and Commanders (3-2) will kick off at 7:15 p.m. CT on Monday night in Landover, Maryland.