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04/25 20:41 CDT Bears banking on Caleb Williams after taking the 2022 Heisman winner with No. 1 pick in NFL draft Bears banking on Caleb Williams after taking the 2022 Heisman winner with No. 1 pick in NFL draft By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) --- Caleb Williams, welcome to Chicago. The expectations are clear, become the franchise quarterback the Bears have craved for years and lift the founding NFL franchise to the top of the league. Other than that, there's no pressure at all. "I don't think of it that way," Williams said after the Bears took him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. "That may be the narrative. For me, I handle my job, I be a great teammate first and foremost. General manager Ryan Poles made a half-hearted attempt during the week to play things close to the vest when it came to the first pick by telling everyone to "tune in" as he smiled. The real mystery, of course, wasn't whether they would kick off the festivities by taking the elusive, rifle-armed QB; it was what they would do with the No. 9 pick. The Bears took Washington All-American Rome Odunze, giving them another potential play-making receiver to go with DJ Moore and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen. They also have a third-rounder (75) and a fourth-rounder (122). As for Williams? "I handle business on and off the field and then I go to work," he said. "I enjoy what I do. I love what I do. I'm in there with my guys and my guys are seeing me, they see how hard I work, their guy, their QB, and we go get it. We go win games together. That's the biggest thing is winning games together because I can't win a game by himself. Keenan Allen can't win a game by himself. And so making sure that we're all together, offense, defense, special teams, and we go get it." Chicago has just three playoff appearances since the 2006 team reached the Super Bowl and failed to advance in the postseason twice in that span. The Bears are 10-24 in two seasons under Poles and coach Matt Eberflus. But they see themselves as a playoff contender after going from three wins in 2022 to finishing 7-10 last season. They've made some big moves this offseason, acquiring Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers to team with Moore and then adding Odunze --- who led the FBS with a school-record 1,640 yards receiving last season --- to the mix. Above all, they hope they have their franchise quarterback. If Williams delivers, he'd be in rare territory in Chicago. Jim McMahon helped the 1985 team shuffle to Chicago's lone Super Bowl championship before injuries took their toll on The Punky QB. Jay Cutler set the franchise's all-time passing record following a blockbuster trade from Denver, though his tenure didn't quite meet the mile-high expectations, whether it was because of his supporting cast, coaching or his own shortcomings. But mostly, the quarterback spot has been a source of frustration in Chicago. Williams said recently on The Pivot Podcast that he hopes to spend 20 years with one team and chase Tom Brady's record seven Super Bowl wins. The Bears would be happy if he develops in ways former starter Justin Fields and Mitchell Trubisky never did after being taken with high draft picks. Williams comes with the resume and tools. He has the arm strength and ability to avoid defenders, to extend plays and make throws on the run. He's also strong in the pocket, an area where Fields struggled, and he'll be throwing to some experienced targets. Besides Allen and Moore, Williams will also have two productive tight ends in Cole Kmet and newcomer Gerald Everett. Williams had 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during three seasons at Oklahoma and USC. He threw for 72 TDs and just 10 interceptions in two years with the Trojans. He also showed the ability to run, scoring 27 rushing touchdowns in college. Williams followed coach Lincoln Riley from Norman to Los Angeles and won the Heisman in 2022. He threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions to lift USC from four wins in 2021 to 11 and an appearance in the Cotton Bowl. Williams put up big numbers again last season while the Trojans struggled to an 8-5 record with one of the nation's worst defenses. He threw for 3,333 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games. He did not play in the Holiday Bowl. Williams is the third player drafted by the Bears with the No. 1 pick --- and their first since 1947. George Halas gambled on Oklahoma A&M halfback Bob Fenimore despite a knee injury that cut short his senior season. The former All-American lasted just one year in the NFL. Chicago's only other No. 1 pick was Michigan halfback Tom Harmon in 1941. The 1940 Heisman Trophy winner declined to sign with the Bears, saying he was finished with football. Harmon served as a pilot in World War II and eventually played two seasons for the Los Angeles Rams before moving on to a career in broadcasting. The Bears had the top pick again Thursday because of the blockbuster trade with Carolina for Moore a year ago. The Bears sent the Panthers the No. 1 selection in 2023 and got their first-rounder this year. Carolina finished with a league-worst 2-15 mark. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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