Caleb Williams, who’s a strong contender for the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, has already garnered significant attention and lofty comparisons even before setting foot on an NFL field. Some analysts have eagerly drawn parallels between the USC quarterback’s abilities and those of Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar Patrick Mahomes.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Williams expressed his excitement at being mentioned alongside the revered Kansas City Chiefs’ player.
Rather than shying away from the heightened expectations, he appears to embrace the challenge.
“Everybody watches Patrick and sees all the cool things he can do. I always said, even in high school, that I don’t think there’s anything — obviously, it’s special, but I don’t think there’s anything that I can’t do that he’s doing out there.”
Williams’ resemblance to Mahomes is primarily attributed to his powerful arm, athleticism, and improvisational skills. Many scouts have even gone as far as labeling the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner as a once-in-a-generation talent.
Interestingly, Williams handled the Mahomes comparisons differently during the summer.
“The Patrick Mahomes thing, I’ve seen it. I don’t think anything of it. I’m my own self. I’m Caleb Williams, No. 13 for the USC Trojans. I don’t think too much of it other than, it’s respect. Mahomes has been the best guy in the league basically since he got in the league.”
It’s worth noting that the Chicago Bears infamously chose Mitchell Trubisky over Mahomes in the 2017 draft, a decision that still lingers in the minds of the team’s fans.
With the Bears once again facing a critical decision on whether to select a new franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick or stick with Justin Fields, the increasing hype surrounding Williams could potentially complicate their choice. The specter of passing on another potential star quarterback may weigh heavily on the organization as they approach the draft.
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