Bears take Caleb Williams with top pick as record 6 QBs chosen in 1st round of NFL draft

Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.

Five other teams selected quarterbacks among the top 12 picks, setting a record with five in the top 10 and tying a record for the most in the first round. The first defensive player was UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 15 to Indianapolis.

The Bears selected Williams at No. 1 overall in the NFL draft on Thursday night after deciding weeks ago to bank on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from USC.

"Care, love and support and want to win," Williams said about what he's bringing to Chicago.

The Washington Commanders followed up by taking 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU and the New England Patriots took North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 3, making it the fourth draft with quarterbacks going with the first three picks.

It matched 2021 (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance), 1971 (Jim Plunkett, Archie Manning, Dan Pastorini) and 1999 (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith).

At No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons made a stunning decision to choose Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency. The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot to No. 10 and took J.J. McCarthy, who led Michigan to a national championship, to make it five QBs in the top 10 for the first time.

The Denver Broncos chose Oregon's Bo Nix with the 12th pick, tying the 1983 draft with six QBs in the first round. Three of those became Hall of Fame quarterbacks — John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason and Ken O'Brien also went in the first round in 1983.

The New York Giants then snatched up LSU receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6. The Tennessee Titans took