INDIANAPOLIS — Before Kyler Williams could say “good morning,” he was asked Friday if he was afraid of competing against his peers because he wouldn’t be participating in on-court practices and would only be visiting with the team. Be a doctor.
Williams leaned forward to listen to the question to his left, quickly looked to his right, smiled, and gave the first answer of the press conference.
The projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft simply said “no,” and the decision was made by him and his team. Williams also mentioned that he didn’t feel the need to throw out and direct people to his college tape.
Williams’ first press conference since Nov. 11, 2023, didn’t get off to an easy start.
In front of more than 100 media members and thousands more watching at home, Williams proved he’s not one to panic easily.
Despite being in what would be an unsettling situation for most, Williams answered question after question while nonchalantly stuffing his hands in his hoodie pockets. At this moment he was unmoved.
That kind of unshakable quality is what Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles covets at the quarterback position. The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Williams could very well be the game-changing player that turns the team into a legitimate contender.
That’s one thing Williams looks for when he meets with NFL teams.
“The thing I say about men is I want to go to a place where I want to win,” Williams said. “The whole 360. From the top all the way down to, you know, the guys, down to the janitors, it’s the people who make everything work. Everybody wants to win. “Everyone is a part of it and we all look out for each other. “
In addition to showing an overall sense of comfort, contrary to the question Williams was asked at the beginning of the press conference, he mentioned being a competitor multiple times in his answers.
That competitiveness shows up not just on the football field, but in how he sees himself and where he thinks he should go in the draft. He was asked how disappointed he would be if he didn’t get the No. 1 pick in the draft.
“I didn’t have the idea in my head,” Williams said. “I didn’t think I wasn’t going to be No. 1. I thought I had put in all the effort, all the time, effort and energy, so I didn’t think of a plan B. That’s the way I do things in life. I didn’t think of B Plan. Stick to Plan A, and then when things don’t go your way, find a way to make Plan A work.”
Williams is confident in his abilities — as a former Heisman Trophy winner should be. But no matter how successful he has been throughout his career, there will always be doubters and people who question everything about him.
Caleb Williams answers questions about his size
He was asked to answer questions about his height.
“This is the first time I’ve heard about my height and size,” Williams said with a laugh. “I’m about the same size and weight as Aaron Rodgers: 215, 220 and 6-foot-1 (or) 6-foot-2.”
Another topic that received much attention was the emotion Williams displayed after last season’s 52-42 loss to Washington.
“There aren’t many people in the world who get to experience what I go through every game, every practice,” Williams said. “For me, it always comes back to that. It’s something that only I get to experience. That’s what I really care about, it’s not just winning games but working hard with my teammates. So every time We lost and I felt like I let my teammates down.”
Football means everything to Williams, which is why he wants to be immortalized alongside the greatest players in history. Look at it similar to how Chicagoans look at Michael Jordan.
“I would say that’s my standard wherever I go,” Williams said. “As you all see, that’s what I play for. I say don’t play for the fame, I don’t play for the money, I don’t play for the jewelry or anything like that. Just to go out and win everything. As many games as possible. As much as I can. My plan is, if I can do my best and play as many games as possible in the best condition, I think I can get there.”
Williams may not be for everyone, but there’s no doubt he’s ready and wants to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft and leave a legacy that everyone will remember. It would be something unprecedented for the Bears, and Williams isn’t fazed by Chicago’s historical lack of success at the quarterback position.
“I don’t compare myself to anyone else who was or was there,” Williams said. “I think I’m my own player. I tend to like making history and rewriting history.”
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