Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams named co-captain amid 'growing pains' chatter

Caleb Williams has been named co-captain of the Chicago Bears, the latest honor for the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

While the respect Williams has garnered from his teammates is clear, it should be noted that the Bears have A LOT of captains — Williams will be sharing the honor with seven other players. They are: receiver DJ Moore, tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, linebackers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds and safety Kevin Byard.

It's also not terribly unusual for a rookie to be named captain of his NFL team. Last year, rookie QBs Bryce Young (Panthers), CJ Stroud (Texans) and Anthony Richardson (Colts) were all named captains of their respective teams.

The 22-year-old's latest honor comes on the heels of Bears chairman George McCaskey seemingly warning fans not to get too overzealous about Williams' inpact on the team — at least not yet.

"Typically, the No. 1 pick in the draft comes into a situation where it's going to take a while for things to come together," McCaskey said Thursday. "Caleb [has] got a lot of support — a solid defense, good receivers, good offensive line, a good running game, tight ends — but I hope people will be patient. 

"There are going to be growing pains. He's going to make mistakes. That's part of the learning process for any young quarterback."

The "Breakfast Ball" crew broke down McCaskey's head-scratching comments, largely disagreeing with them.

"I get it," Craig Carton said Monday. "It [has] been a long time since he had the right to feel the way he feels right now. He believes — everyone believes — they have a franchise quarterback, a generational talent. … But if I'm a fan of the Bears and have bought into the