Former GM Thinks Caleb Williams’ Eventual Visit To Bears Will Be Rough

Caleb Williams cleared the first hurdle in his efforts to become the #1 overall pick next month. By all accounts, he interviewed well at the scouting combine, showcasing a calm, self-assured personality with good answers to every question. The Chicago Bears came away impressed. However, the evaluation isn’t over yet. GM Ryan Poles and his people want to get Williams in a more private setting where the two sides can truly get to know each other. That will come shortly after USC’s pro day on March 20th.

During that visit, the Bears will run him through drills, test him on the whiteboard, and ask plenty of questions about football and life outside of it. They must get a gauge of the type of person he is. This is the most crucial roster decision the organization has encountered in many years. Former GM Mark Dominik believes this is why Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, and others might resort to some heavy-handed tactics to stress the young quarterback, hoping to see how he responds. Dominik explained the reasoning to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.

Dominik also emphasizes the value of putting stress on a player during his visit. While reluctant to share specific methodologies, he noted that teams historically find creative tools and approaches to measure players’ composure and problem-solving skills.

“There are absolutely some unique ways to challenge a young guy in your facility, outside your facility, in the surroundings that you’re putting him in,” Dominik said. “There are some really easy ways to get a better sense of who the young man is and what he can become by putting him into a difficult setting or a frustrating setting and seeing how he reacts to that.”

Caleb Williams won’t be the first to experience this.

Darnell Wright underwent a similar experience last year before the draft. The Bears put him through an exhausting workout, testing to see where both his physical and mental conditioning were. Wright handled it without complaint. Many felt that workout was what cemented him as the Bears’ preferred target in the draft. So, one can safely assume Poles has something similar planned for Williams. If the quarterback doesn’t like the idea of getting worked hard, that could raise a red flag about his ability to handle the pressure of Chicago.

Nothing determines how good a quarterback will be at the next level more than his composure during chaotic moments. When things get tense, their pulse barely changes. Such types are rare. That is why they are so hard to find. The Bears haven’t had somebody like that since Jim McMahon. Nobody disputes Caleb Williams’ talent. He has more than enough to become a franchise quarterback. What the Bears need to know is whether he has the mental fortitude to handle the highs and lows of this league.