Bears QB Caleb Williams named a team captain

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was announced Monday as one of eight team captains for the Chicago Bears.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, already has developed a bond with his teammates, general manager Ryan Poles said last week.

"It's fairly natural; it's not forced," Poles said of Williams' rapport in the locker room. "We've all been on teams before ... there's people that come into those situations and they try too hard. It's awkward. It's hard to buy into that. Then there's guys that can navigate that so naturally because they're authentic and real, and that's what he's done."

Williams, 22, played his final two college seasons at Southern California. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022.

Other captains for the Bears are wide receiver DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, and defensive backs Kevin Byard and Jaylon Johnson.

Williams and the Bears open the season Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans.