When rumors began filtering out that the Chicago Bears were considering a quarterback change, a lot of players didn’t like it. They felt Justin Fields had done enough to deserve more time. He’d improved steadily throughout the 2023 season and helped them to a 7-10 record despite a rough 0-4 start. D.J. Moore, Jaylon Johnson, Braxton Jones, and others spoke out publicly about wanting Fields to stay. GM Ryan Poles understood their feelings, but he had to make a tough decision. In his mind, the Bears had likely hit their ceiling with Fields. They needed to upgrade the position.
Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional pick. Not long after that, they used the #1 overall selection on former Heisman winner Caleb Williams. It was a daring move. Some felt the USC star had too much diva in him with the painted fingernails and significant social media presence. Bears players were skeptical. Fast forward to Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, and it was Jones who helped provide a clear picture of how decisively Williams has won over the locker room.
They love the kid.
Braxton Jones helps illustrate Williams’ leadership qualities.
It is beyond evident the quarterback is not only a good player, but he’s able to communicate with his teammates. Some guys don’t have the personality to express their feelings naturally. Jay Cutler was one example. For all his ability, his somewhat surly personality made it difficult to connect with him. That isn’t the case with Williams. He can talk about football, make pop culture references, tease guys, and anything else. Conversations come easily to him.
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Combine that with his rapidly progressing ability on the field, and it is easy to see why Braxton Jones and others love him. People often said if the Bears had someone with the leadership of Jim McMahon and the body of Cutler, they would have the perfect quarterback for this city. This feels as close as they’ve gotten in a long time. Williams is becoming exactly what Poles and the rest of the organization hoped.
