Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made headlines for his recent take on being friends with opposing quarterbacks. It’s something he isn’t really interested in, as he wants to hold a competitive edge against anyone he is facing.
Entering the league, Williams’ one-of-one personality drew opinions from both sides of he aisle. Some found his quirks a distraction while others embraced the quarterback staying true to himself. As he prepares for his sophomore season, Williams is looking to show the NFL who is truly is as both a player and person.
But based on his recent interview, and overall Williams’ entire demeanor, some are beginning to throw red flags. Chris Canty of ESPN believes Williams is entering ‘celebrity quarterback,’ territory; and not for the right reasons.
“Bill Parcels always used to say, ‘Beware the celebrity quarterback. And it feels like that’s the road Caleb Williams is starting to go down,” Canty said. “It’s more about the brand, it’s more about the individual than it is making sure that you set the right tone in terms of the selflessness and sacrifice that it takes from a leadership position. Especially being a quarterback, the guy that was taken with the first overall pick for a franchise that has been searching for a quarterback for decades. I think it was the wrong note to strike.”
Caleb Williams becomes ‘celebrity’
One interview shouldn’t change the NFL’s view on Williams, even if his quote made the media rounds. It wasn’t the only notable thing he said in his interview with Esquire’s Brian O’Keefe. The quarterback was blatant open about how the team felt disenfranchised by former head coach Matt Eberflus after their Hail Mary disaster against the Washington Commanders.
It may be unusual for a quarterback to be so honest. Usually, athletes will feed the media with coach – or player speak in this case, simply not trying to stir up any buzz. But Williams wears his heart on his sleeve. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind or be honest about who he is as a person. He even admitted to shedding tears during his rocky rookie season.
To Canty, speaking so candidly about his rookie year from an individualized outlook took away from the Bears at large. It was a feature story, so Williams isn’t at fault for speaking about himself. But Canty would rather see the quarterback talk about the team at large, rather than focusing so heavily on his individualized approach.
If Williams were to lean into the flash, making noise on social media and truly becoming a celebrity, it would certainly take away his focus from the Bears. But the quarterback’s only goal was being truthful with fans before gearing up for a potential comeback campaign.
How Williams can silence haters with Chicago Bears
If Canty was upset by Williams’ words, the only way the quarterback can shut him down is with his play. His rookie season left a lot to desired in terms of Williams being selected with the No. 1 overall pick. However, the Bears have spent all offseason putting him a place to succeed in 2025.
As a rookie, Williams completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He surpassed any passing total Justin Fields put up, and he was able to limit the turnovers. However, Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as Chicago ranked second-to-last in passing offense, averaging 181.5 yards per game.
To help remedy the issue, the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their next head coach. He helped lead the Detroit Lions to the second-best passing attack in 2024, averaging 263.2 YPG. Furthermore, Chicago traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney before signing center Drew Dalman. Including whoever the franchise adds in the draft, Williams has been given a much stronger foundation.
Now it’s up to the quarterback to prove why he was the No. 1 overall pick. Williams must be more than a media darling and a social media star. For the Bears to be successful, their franchise quarterback must prove he is exactly that.
Chicago Bears fans explode after ESPN’s Chris Canty calls Caleb Williams a “Celebrity QB”
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