'I felt his passion': Social media warmly welcomes new Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams is officially a Chicago Bear.

The Bears used their No. 1 overall pick to take the 2022 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback out of Southern California on Thursday night in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams has long been considered the unanimous top selection since the Bears got the top choice following last season.

Williams, the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions, while rushing 11 TDs during the 2023 campaign. His Heisman season numbers included 4,537 passing yards and combined 52 scores (42 passing, 10 rushing).

Who are the Bears going to draft? Tracking every Chicago pick in 2024 NFL Draft

This is some of the social media reaction after the newest Bears quarterback.

Future record setter?

ESPN Insider Adam Schefter said the Bears never have had a QB in franchise history to throw 4,000-plus yards or 30-plus TDs in a season. Erik Kramer set the single-season passing record (3,838 yards) and touchdowns (29) in 1995.

"Caleb Williams now will have a chance to become the first," Schefter wrote.

The analysts show love

Dan Katz, known at Barstool Big Cat, quoted Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Ditka in a Twitter post, "The past is for cowards and losers." Katz came with a tongue-in-check follow-up quote.

" 'The future is now' - Me and also Caleb Williams," he wrote.

CHGO Bears podcast host Will DeWitt also was pumped with Williams' pick as soon as the future QB1 walked out on the stage.

"I FELT his passion to be THE CHICAGO BEARS QUARTERBACK through my f-ing screen!! DeWitt wrote.

Welcome to Chicago, Caleb

Two of the Chicago pro sports franchises showed love to the Williams pick. The Chicago White Sox posted a sweet graphic of Williams dressed in half of a White Sox jersey with the other half being a Bears uniform.

"Chicago looks good on you," Caleb Williams!" the White Sox wrote.

The Bulls posted a video of fellow USC Trojan and six-time all-star DeMar DeRozan holding a black pinstripe No. 1 Chicago jersey. "Welcome to Chicago, Caleb Williams!" the Bulls account posted.

"On behalf of Chicago and the Bulls, we want to welcome you, Caleb, to the family, to the city," DeRozan said. "You're gonna do big things."

What number will Caleb Williams wear?

The official Chicago Bears account announced very shortly after the Williams pick what number he will wear during his rookie year.

"Ladies and gentlemen… 18", the Bears wrote.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Chicago Bears draft reaction: Fans, analysts react to pick Caleb Williams