DETROIT - Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Five other teams selected quarterbacks among the top 12 picks, setting a record with five in the top 10 and tying a record for the most in the first round.
The Bears selected Williams at No. 1 overall in the NFL draft on Thursday night after deciding weeks ago to bank on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from USC.
The Washington Commanders followed up by taking 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU and the New England Patriots took North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 3, making it the fourth draft with quarterbacks going with the first three picks.
Detroit made a deal with Dallas, trading up five spots to take Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold to fire up a sea of fans decked out in Honolulu blue and silver watching the draft.
The Cowboys acquired the No. 29 pick and a third-round selection, No. 73 overall, and gave up a seventh-round selection in the trade.
Welcome to Chicago, @CALEBcsw! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tnInv8jwYp
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 26, 2024
With the 24th pick in the 2024 #NFLDraft, the Detroit #Lions select @ArnoldTerrion from @AlabamaFTBL. pic.twitter.com/tPDQgyMRzP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 26, 2024
That's a wrap on Night 1. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/4YNYkawFo8
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024