LOS ANGELES — The Bears’ contingent strode shoulder-to-shoulder in three rows, cutting a figure still wide enough to take up most of the sidewalk that wrapped around the northwest side of the Katherine B. Loker Track Stadium on USC’s campus.
There were seven men in all, with general manager Ryan Poles and his deputy Ian Cunningham walking alongside coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. They walked up a ramp around 8:45 a.m. and into the John McKay Center, stopping briefly to admire a statue of the former USC coach in front of the entrance.
The Bears were in the building. Loudly, impressively so.
All 32 teams were represented at USC’s pro day Wednesday, but none like the Bears. At least nine members of the team’s coaching staff, front office and scouting department found their way back toward the track — including quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph and pass game coordinator Thomas Brown. They were met by Keenan Allen, the former Chargers receiver — and current Los Angeles-area resident — for whom they traded last week.
They were there to watch Caleb Williams, the latest USC Heisman Trophy winner and the clear-cut No. 1 draft pick, throw in public for the first time since their regular season-ending loss to rival UCLA on Nov. 18. Like most of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, Williams decided to forego throwing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He became the first modern player to refuse medical testing there, too, saying he’d do so for individual teams.
Williams looked the part Wednesday, even if he was just throwing to uncovered former teammates. The ball hit the ground four times in about 50 tosses — and made one last thud when a celebratory Williams used his last snap to punt the ball about 45 yards.
It was less of a test than it was a coronation. The Bears, who hold the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft, wanted Williams — and the world — to know they had front row seats.
“The general manager loves ball,” Williams said of the Bears. “The head coach loves ball. He’s the defensive coordinator … To have them here to support me is good.”
Among the other NFL dignitaries in attendance were Commanders coach Dan Quinn, Chargers GM Joe Horitz and Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. Former USC quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez watched, too.
Williams had felt the love from the Bears long before Wednesday’s throwing session. The Bears spent the previous two days and nights getting to know him. They hung out at the USC football offices with him Tuesday. The goal was to develop a comfort level with the man most believe will be their first overall pick.
“It was great,” Williams said. “I don’t think I really needed to learn much [about the Bears]. Just building a relationship.
“They’re trying to see if I’m the right fit to be first pick as the QB and go and possibly be the face of the franchise. They’re trying to figure out if this is the guy they should invest all the time, effort, energy and money into — which is obviously important in this situation.”
Williams measured 6 feet and 7/8 inches, which was shorter than his Combine measurement. He came in at his playing weight of 217 pounds. The Bears expect to get a better look at his medical records when he visits Halas Hall, one of 30 meetings allotted each team. Asked when he’d travel to Halas Hall, the quarterback said he “didn’t know yet.” It’s not expected to happen until at least after next week’s annual meetings.
The Bears watched not just how Williams threw, but how he interacted with his teammates.
It was telling to see how the Bears’ brass interacted with those around them, too. Separately, Poles, Allen and Eberflus walked to the stands to chat with Williams’ father Carl. While some around the league wondered if Carl Williams would try to steer his son to a team of their choosing, Caleb Williams has used his last few interviews to state his willingness to join the Bears.
Williams warmed up on a backfield, put on bright yellow spikes and playfully played catch left-handed. When it was time to throw, both Poles and Eberflus stood behind the quarterback. At times, neither could help but smile.
Williams texted his receivers on Tuesday night, reminding them to have fun, and repeated the phrase to them before their throwing session. When it was over, he posed for pictures with them while wearing a black USC T-shirt with his number 13 on it.
“Shoot, you guys saw it today,” said USC receiver Brenden Rice, whose father Jerry is considered the game’s greatest receiver. “Accurate, precise. He’s a hard worker. He’s a leader amongst men. And he’s going to do the things necessary to push a team to the championship level.”
The Bears can only dream.
