Ample reason for optimism exists within the Chicago Bears' 2024 roster.
The majority of the eyeballs and attention are focused on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, however.
Among the myriad excited for Williams to lead Chicago into a new era is Bears chairman George McCaskey, but the grandson of George Halas is likewise urging a patient approach with the 2024 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick.
"Typically, the No. 1 pick in the draft comes into a situation where it's going to take a while for things to come together," McCaskey said Thursday, via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. "Caleb's got a lot of support -- a solid defense, good receivers, good offensive line, a good running game, tight ends. But I hope people will be patient. There are going to be growing pains. He's going to make mistakes. That's part of the learning process for any young quarterback."
Much of the reason for all the expectancy surrounding Williams, however, comes from Bears fans' patience as it relates to the quarterback position.
The franchise's greatest quarterback, for all intents and purposes, remains Pro Football Hall of Famer Sid Luckman. Luckman played his last down in the 1950 season, was enshrined in Canton in 1965 and passed away in 1998.
There have been bright spots since, gleamed from the play of Jim McMahon -- who quarterbacked the franchise to its only Super Bowl win, Jim Harbaugh, Jay Cutler and others.
Nonetheless, to this day, no Bears quarterback has ever thrown for 4,000 yards in a season or 30 touchdowns. They are the only NFL franchise to hold that distinction.
Williams, only the third No. 1 overall pick in the history of one of the NFL's founding franchises, has all that riding upon his gifted right shoulder. Add in that the Bears haven't had a winning record since 2018 and haven't won a playoff game since 2010 and there's plenty of reason for impatience.
"I understand the impatience -- that's to be expected, to a certain extent," McCaskey said. "(Williams) can't do it by himself. We've all seen some very talented quarterbacks who didn't have the help around them and who struggled as a result."
At least on paper, Williams has been put into a position to succeed.
The Bears defense showed vast improvement last season and was buoyed by a trade to acquire defensive end Montez Sweat. Chicago also dealt for wide receiver D.J. Moore last year and Keenan Allen this one, not to mention its second 2024 first-round draft choice, wide receiver Rome Odunze.
There is a buzz that's unmistakable and despite his plea for patience, McCaskey is plenty excited himself.
"I don't think (the excitement) can be quantified," he said. "You can feel it growing as the season approaches."
The hype has been building even prior to the Bears officially taking Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. In just more than a week, the Williams era will become a reality as it kicks off against the Tennessee Titans.
