Caleb Williams is now under contract with the Bears. © APA / GREGORY SHAMUS

NFL Draft: Chicago lands the super talent

As expected, young quarterback Caleb Williams was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears in the NFL draft.

26 April 2024

From: dpa

At the North American Football League's talent exchange on Friday (local time) in Detroit, NFL boss Roger Goodell was the first to call out Williams' name. The quarterback was named the best college player in the USA in 2022 and was active for the USC Trojans.

“When you talk to his former teammates, it's clear they don't just like him, they love him,” Bears manager Ryan Poles said of the new quarterback, whose leadership qualities Poles highlighted. Williams is considered the greatest exceptional talent of the current year. The Bears hope to regain relevance with the 22-year-old playmaker. They have missed the playoffs in the past three seasons; the Chicago team won their last playoff game in 2010.

Quarterbacks in high demand

With Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders, second draft position), Drake Maye (New England Patriots, third position), Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons, eighth position), JJ McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings, tenth position) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos, twelfth position), five more quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the draft. Only once in NFL history have six quarterbacks been selected in the first round of talent selection: in 1983 with football legend John Elway.

In the NFL draft, the 32 teams can select the best young football players. The worst teams from the previous season go first. Teams are also allowed to swap positions in the draft. The Bears secured the first right of access from the Carolina Panthers, who had chosen first last year.

The NFL Draft continues over the next two days, with the 32 NFL teams selecting in the second through seventh rounds.