Their concerns weren't unfounded. Both head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron were fired during the regular season, and even Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted this offseason that "steps were skipped" in preparing Williams for his rookie season.

"Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Carl Williams, Caleb's father, told Wickersham months prior to the 2024 draft.

Of course, the Bears took Williams anyways and the 2022 Heisman Trophy-winner didn't have to worry about working with Waldron for long. Chicago fired Waldron nine games into the s