Caleb Williams silences Bears rumors ahead of draft decision

USC Trojans star quarterback Caleb Williams attempted to pour cold water over any idea he wants the Chicago Bears to pass on making him the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited," Williams said during a conversation with Pete Thamel of ESPN. "If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I'm just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they'd be excited."

Williams' camp has refuted claims suggesting he may not want to play either in Chicago or for the Bears, and club general manager Ryan Poles told reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday he isn't worried about the signal-caller hoping he'll be drafted by a different team.

Poles appears eager to make a final call about Chicago's quarterback situation before free agency begins next month, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted on Tuesday that "it seems like the Bears are thinking seriously about moving on from" current starting quarterback Justin Fields. 

Chicago reportedly could receive selections in the second and fourth rounds of this year's draft if they trade Fields before other signal-callers become available in free agency. 

"I'm not pushing any agenda," Williams added about potentially requesting a trade if Chicago selected him with the No. 1 pick this spring. "At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I'm not pushing an agenda of, 'Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don't want to go.' I'm excited for whatever comes."

Mock drafts routinely updated by ESPN, Walter Football, CBS Sports and other outlets continue to predict Williams will end up in Chicago. He sounds ready to get to work without causing any behind-the-scenes issues for whatever club officially makes him an NFL player. 

"I can't wait to say my first cadence," Williams told Thamel. "Regardless of how good or bad, with me switching up the play call, messing up or not messing it up in practice. Whatever the case may be. I can't wait for that moment, that minicamp moment."