Mark Potash

The 2023 fourth-round pick knows he’ll have to make the most of his opportunities with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and first-round rookie Rome Odunze ahead of him. But he’s determined to “star in his role” as a niche weapon in Shane Waldron’s offense.

There was nothing Williams could do in four non-padded practices to prove he’s the franchise quarterback the Bears need. But less than a week into camp, one thing is clear: He’s the right guy in the right place. The Justin Fields option is a mere footnote in Ryan Poles’ rebuild.

The 2022 second-round draft pick has been a productive starter in two seasons with the Bears, but he has bigger dreams than that — including leaguewide recognition.

Swift had 156 receptions for 1,198 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons with the Lions but only 39 receptions for 214 yards and one touchdown with the Eagles last season.

Mitch Trubisky had to wait his turn behind Mike Glennon in 2017; Justin Fields had to wait his turn behind Andy Dalton in 2021. But the Bears aren’t playing any apprenticeship games with Williams, who figures to benefit from that approach.

The first year of Shane Waldron’s offense with a rookie quarterback will be no excuse for Caleb Williams. “We’ve got to get this thing going quickly. There’s not going to be time to meander through this thing,” Kmet said.

The Sun-Times’ annual season-opening test of fans’ optimism/pessimism is a little skewed this year. With Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen & Co. and a defense on the rise, Bears fans have every right to feel good about this team. What can go wrong?

The Bears aren’t quite a team on the cusp of Super Bowl contention. But Poles, for the most part, has a roster of starting and rotational players he expects to be a part of the Bears’ next playoff team.

With the excitement created by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams — plus the limited space at Halas Hall and only nine practices open to the public — many Bears fans might have to pay on the secondary market to attend practice in 2024.