Prime-Time Caleb Williams Could Break 5-Year Bears Streak

Caleb Williams will be in Detroit for the draft and could be the first Bear introduced on stage in Round 1 since 2018.

Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Roquan Smith (Georgia) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Barring something totally unforeseen, the Bears will have a first-round pick come out on the stage at the NFL draft for the first time since 2018.

The NFL revealed the players who will be taking part in the telecast on site for the draft announcements and the list includes USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Bears fans will get to see Williams come out and wear the Bears hat when commissioner Roger Goodell says "With the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams."

Actually, it's possible they'll have two players come on stage after their names are announced as they do have the ninth pick overall.

The  league said Williams, quarterback Jayden Daniels from LSU and quarterback Drake Maye from North Carolina will also be on hand for the draft in Detroit.

In all, the league confirmed 13 players who will be in Detroit for the April 25 event, which begins at 7 p.m.

The event will be a simulcast by NFL Network, ESPN and ABC. 

The others on the list who have confirmed they'll be at the draft are Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Alabama edge Dallas Turner, UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama cornerbackTerrion Arnold, Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham.

Bears tackle Darnell Wright was at home when the announcement he had been selected was made in 2023.

They had no first-round pick in 2022 and in 2021 Justin Fields was at home when they made the announcement.

For two years prior to Fields' selection, the Bears had no first-round pick because they traded it for Khalil Mack. So the last one to come on stage with the commissioner in Round 1 for them was Smith, the eighth pick overall from Georgia in 2018.

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