A new potential GOAT has landed in Chicago, and he’s not here for the deep-dish pizza. Caleb Williams, the Bears‘ rookie quarterback, is already drawing comparisons to the man who turned six NBA championships into a way of life. Is it too soon to imagine Williams’ jersey hanging from the rafters at Soldier Field? With 93 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions during his college career, Williams isn’t just bringing hype – he’s bringing a track record of excellence.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero recently lit up “The Rich Eisen Show” with a jaw-dropping comparison. “Caleb Williams has the opportunity to be the biggest thing in Chicago since Michael Jordan,” Pelissero declared, adding, “He is going to be handled by the media, by fans, like he has the opportunity to be the biggest thing in Chicago since Michael Jordan. In other words, with great power comes great responsibility.”

This isn’t just another case of rookie hype. Pelissero backed up his bold claim with insights into Williams’ character. “The more that the teams dug into it, the more they heard no, he is around,” Pelissero explained. He painted a picture of a young man who’s as invested in his team as he is in his success. “He’d hang around and he’d have lunch at the facility and he’d see people and he would bring his offensive lineman out to the Heisman Trophy ceremony,” Pelissero added. “He would get headphones for all his teammates and then realize hey, the support staff deserve them too, and then go out and do something nice for them.”

The Bears’ faith in Williams is as solid as a Chicago winter. They named him the starting quarterback before his first practice in May, skipping the usual “veteran mentor” step. They’ve backed up this faith with their wallet too, signing Williams to a four-year deal worth $39.4 million with a $25.5 million signing bonus.

Williams isn’t just aiming for the NFL record books; he’s shooting for legendary status. In February, he told Pete Thamel, “It’s appealing to be in a city like that. With legends that you’ve looked up to … reach for the standard they set and try to do anything to get there.” He’s been studying Chicago icons like Jordan and Walter Payton, clearly understanding the weight of the cleats he’s about to fill. “It’s not money, it’s not fame … it’s to be immortal. I want to reach that sense of being a legend,” Williams declared, echoing the ambition that once drove Jordan to greatness.

Caleb Williams’ journey to Chicago greatness

Williams isn’t just bringing his arm to Chicago; he’s bringing a mindset that would make even Air Jordan nod in approval. “I don’t play for fame,” Williams stated at the NFL scouting combine. “I don’t play for money. I don’t play for jewels and things like that. Just to go out there and win as many games as possible and be the best I can.”

This attitude has already won over his teammates. DJ Moore gushed to ESPN, “Straight off the bat, he’s just a leader. He took control of the huddle. His arm talent was amazing. I think that’s what stood out to everybody. And him trying to make all those throws this offseason in OTAs was like, ‘Dang, he really just made that.’ Or ‘he just did that on the run.’ It was amazing to see.”

As training camp kicks off, Williams is laser-focused. “It’s making sure I’m not [just] looking forward to preseason and those preseason games and I’m focused on playing against the Chicago Bears defense right now,” he told ESPN. It’s the kind of mature approach that turns promising rookies into franchise cornerstones. Coach Matt Eberflus plans to give Williams between 45 to 55 snaps over four preseason games, carefully managing his new star’s development.

The spotlight on Williams is hotter than a Chicago summer, with HBO’s “Hard Knocks” set to document every drop of sweat at Bears training camp. But if his past performance is any indication, Williams won’t just survive under the lights – he’ll thrive. The Bears, coming off a 7-10 season, have given Williams plenty of weapons, acquiring six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and drafting Washington All-American Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick.

As he steps onto Soldier Field, Williams carries more than just the hopes of Bears fans. He carries the potential to rewrite Chicago sports history. Jordan once said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” It seems Caleb Williams is ready to make it happen, Chicago style. The question now isn’t if Williams can fill Jordan’s shoes – it’s whether he’ll need a bigger trophy case.