The Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams as the first-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, with star defender Jaylon Johnson making some interesting comments on the quarterback beforehand
Chicago Bears defensive star Jaylon Johnson has spoken to first-overall draft pick Caleb Williams after making some eye-raising comments about his new quarterback this offseason.
Williams was long considered the best player in the 2024 NFL Draft and a generational prospect, after his incredible 2022 Heisman Trophy season with multiple highlights from his final year in college with USC.
When asked about Williams potentially coming into the team as the first overall pick, Johnson, speaking on the Up and Adams show, said: “You just humble yourself coming into the building. You can’t bring that Hollywood stuff into the building, especially with guys who have played the game at a high level for consecutive years in the league.”
“Guys like myself, Tremaine (Edmunds), T.J. (Edwards), now Keenan Allen. We’re going to see through that. What you did in college, the Hollywood, nah, you’ve gotta prove yourself. Stuff like that doesn’t matter.”
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Following those comments in March, the Bears went on to select Williams first in the draft – creating an environment for him to start straight away and be one of the team captains as quarterback.
Williams has already traveled to Chicago with his fellow draft picks, getting to know his coaches and some of his teammates, including meeting Johnson, who has now walked back his comments.
He explained: “I cleared the air and was like, ‘Hey, that wasn’t what it was supposed to be, I don’t know you’. He hit me and was like, ‘Hey, I’m a winner, I just want to win.’ We had that conversation. I’m like it’s all good. Then I talked a little trash about Utah and USC, and it was all good.”
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Williams is set to join the Bears as arguably the most thrilling quarterback the franchise has ever seen, despite their long-standing struggles in that position.
Despite clinching a Super Bowl victory back in 1986 and boasting one of the most formidable defenses in NFL history, the Bears have never had a quarterback who managed to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season a feat that several quarterbacks manage to achieve every year.
As the clear-cut starter, Williams’ arrival is complemented by Chicago’s proactive moves to boost his game – including the signing of star wide receiver Keenan Allen and selecting Rome Odunze with the ninth-overall pick. Meanwhile, Johnson will take on a leadership role in defense after bagging a massive new $76 million deal, within a Chicago team that’s on the rise.