Prince of the preseason: Breaking down Caleb Williams’ dazzling display

In a draft where six quarterbacks were taken in the top 12 selections, preseason still meant the most for the quarterback taken first among them: Caleb Williams.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles had spent two-and-a-half offseasons curating a perfect landing spot for a young quarterback. With the help of the Carolina Panthers and their abysmal 2023 record, Poles ended up with the pick of the litter after having secured Carolina's selection in a trade earlier that same year.

He couldn't mess this up.

Williams is the most highly touted prospect to come out of college in years. The Heisman winner's freakish athleticism and pedigree have prepared him for this moment. This is a player who said when he was a grade-schooler that he wanted to go first overall in the NFL Draft. Everything he's done since then has been to get to that goal. He's achieved it and now the weight of the Windy City hangs on his broad shoulders.

Armed with the most complete team the Bears will field perhaps ever, Williams cannot fail.

The good news is, after two preseason games, it doesn't look like he will.

It's a small sample size, and it isn't anywhere near the speed and pressure of what the regular season will bring, but Williams played a total of 43 snaps and has shown glimpses of the quarterback he can become. 

There were so many encouraging things within his preseason performance. By no means was everything perfect. The rookie will undoubtedly take his lumps, especially with the way he likes to improvise in the backfield. But in just a couple short months, you can see him grasping offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme in real-time. You can also see, in turn, how the scheme has taken into account Williams' skill set. It's not a