Ryan Poles Reveals Crazy Story About Caleb Williams’ Obsession To Improve

Many factors went into Ryan Poles’ decision to draft Caleb Williams #1 overall. The talent was the obvious part. He has mobility, arm strength, accuracy, and touch. His ability to improvise is second to none, and he can make throws on the run that few in the entire sport can. Yet it was the deeper details that swayed things in his favor. Williams developed a reputation for being an excellent teammate. He was somebody who brought everybody together and elevated those around him. Intelligence and poise? Yep, he has that too.

One story stood out to Poles the most. He explained it to Albert Breer of the MMQB. It came up during the research phase when the Bears interviewed teammates and coaches who’d worked with Williams during his high school and college careers.

“Two former coaches that were at Oklahoma were like, ‘Man, I watched his kid carefully, what a great teammate, he’d take the time to call defensive coaches and get a perspective of his game so he can adapt and adjust his game and get stronger.’ I’m looking at Ian and Flus and I’m like, If you duped this many people, you’re a psychopath. It was too consistent.”

That is not normal. Most quarterbacks limit their communication to their offensive coordinator, position coach, or head coach. Williams going out of his way to contact defensive coaches directly speaks to his attention to detail. Their entire perspective is figuring out ways to stop the opposing quarterback. By getting their opinions, he will have a better idea of what to expect every week.

Caleb Williams has no ego when it comes to bettering himself.

The only way to improve is by learning. There is no doubt his offensive coaches have plenty to teach him. That is their job, after all. However, the defensive coaches see the game from a different perspective. Every waking minute is spent identifying where a quarterback is weak and designing all sorts of ways to exploit it. That is what defenses did with Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields. Rest assured, they will try doing the same with Williams. This approach should help prepare him for what is coming. It certainly helps that Matt Eberflus, one of the sharpest defensive minds in the league, is his head coach.

This is another reminder that Caleb Williams’ public persona is nothing more than a convenient cover for the real person underneath. Coaches and teammates have both warned of his maniacal competitiveness, not just in football but in anything. He despises losing, so he will do anything in his power to achieve greatness. The only thing he asks is that others be willing to make the same sacrifices. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. Explore unconventional ways to get better.