Caleb Williams is already showing his confidence in the Bears’ offense.
After Chicago selected punter Tory Taylor of Iowa with their No. 122 selection, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft sent a text to Taylor about his upcoming workload.
Or, really, lack thereof.
“Hey, you’re not going to punt too much here,” Williams wrote, per The Athletic.
At his disposal in the offense are veteran receiver Keenan Allen, who was traded from the Chargers, and former Washington wideout Rome Odunze, who was selected No. 9 overall.
If Williams’ promises come true, it will be an entirely different game for Taylor, who led the nation in punt attempts (93) and total punt yards (4,479) last year for the Hawkeyes.
Caleb Williams sent an interesting message to new Bears teammate Tory Taylor. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConExplore More
The 6-foot-4, 231-pounder from Melbourne, Australia, was jokingly known as the Hawkeyes’ secret weapon because the offense had the fewest yards per game (235.4) in the 2023 college season.
Taylor averaged 48.2 yards per punt.
Hawkeyes punter Tory Taylor (9) punts during a college football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 11, 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Tory Taylor #9 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after the Hawkeyes defeated the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. Getty ImagesThe Bears’ selection of Taylor marks the highest draft pick used on a punter since the 49ers chose Mitch Wishnowsky at No. 110 overall in the 2019 draft.
Williams, taken out of USC, was one of the top three names floating around to be one of the first three overall picks after his successful senior season.
In his final year, Williams racked up 3,633 yards for 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 12 games, giving him a quarterback rating of 170.1.
