The Chicago Bears’ new starting quarterback Caleb Williams certainly dreams big. You can’t take that away from the kid.
But some fans may draw a definite distinction between lofty aspirations and cringey delusion.
Williams, before he was even selected by the Bears with the overall no. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, had apparently set out his NFL career plan in pretty firm detail.
Caleb Williams’ Historical Chicago Bears Aspirations
Prior to the draft, in an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, cameras caught a glimpse of Williams’ cell lock screen that featured his personal aspirations and day-to-day motivations.
Williams has already achieved his first written goal– to be the first pick in the draft.
The second– much loftier– goal, however, is still a lifetime away. The blue chip QB wants to win eight Super Bowls, one more than all-time great and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Tom Brady.
Good for Caleb, right? In the big picture of life, if you’re not dreaming big you probably won’t do big things. But a long-suffering Bears fan may have the distinct urge to horse-collar tackle the 22-year-old for having that stuff out there for the whole world to see and, maybe, jinxing some of the good mojo the team has been building lately.
Well, the targeted legend, himself, has now responded to Williams’ sweetly ambitious challenge.
Tom Brady Responds
Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
“Everyone’s gonna find different ways for motivation, and that is certainly a way that Caleb can find it,” Tom Brady replied on the NFL Networks’ ‘The Insiders’. “A lot of people are gonna find different motivations. I found them with the way that I did that were useful to me. I think that there’s a lot that goes into winning one, and you got to set your goals high. I would never tell anyone they can’t achieve anything because if you would’ve told me I couldn’t achieve anything, you know that would’ve been discouraging, and I don’t want people to discourage young athletes one bit…
“So I think people should always reach for the stars; certainly young quarterbacks in the league. They’ve got a lot of opportunity, but their career is gonna be made by what they choose to do, and the work they put in, and the relationships they develop with their teammates and the organizations makes an impact. They should have high goals, but at the same time, they’re gonna have to work hard to achieve them, and I really look forward to seeing that process unfold. That’s really where the hard part comes for sure.”
Caleb Has Not Disappointed So Far
Since Williams officially became a Bear, he’s been saying all the right things, talking up the value of teamwork, brotherhood, and displaying his understanding of just how much work lies ahead. His extreme positivity has, by all accounts, won over the support of his coaches and teammates. He’s also been able to become somewhat of a darling with the sometimes gruff and cynical true blue Bears fans.
“To be a great leader, you’ve got to learn how to follow first,” Williams recently told media. “Right now, I’m following all the vets, following all the coaches. I’m listening. Having both ears open, and my mouth shut. Just kind of sitting back and listening. And then when I get to the point of when I learn everything, when I learn the ways of how we do the culture, the playbook, and what the offensive line, receivers, running backs, and tight ends are all doing then you can start taking the lead. For right now though, I’m listening more than I’m speaking and talking. And I’m taking it one step at a time.”
All of this, though, just seems to be who he is– a hard-working kid who dreams big and believes in his ability to do big things if he puts in the work.
This excerpt from Williams’ 2022 speech after winning the Heisman Award offers a glimpse into the young man’s character and belief system:
“The early setbacks that I encountered lit a fire, they started my journey. Your journey will be your own. Just keep believing and keep pursuing your goals. If you’re willing to put in the work and surround yourself with positive people, you can achieve anything. I used to write down my goals in a journal and what used to just be words on a piece of paper has me standing here today. So everyone dreams really do come true.”
So, hold off on the angry horse-collar tackle for right now, Bears fans. Although eight Super Bowl rings may be the stuff of science fiction, we can certainly believe in one….or one at a time.
