It's Williams who made headlines as the first overall pick after a stellar career first at Oklahoma and later at the University of Southern California (USC).
He won the 2022 Heisman Trophy that year as the top college player, but now faces a bigger challenge in reviving the fortunes of one of the oldest and most storied teams in the NFL, which has been underperforming for years.
Williams passed for 93 touchdowns and racked up another 27 in his 33 college starts, but now must turn around a team without a playoff win since 2010.
Chicago helped him somewhat, as they also used their ninth pick in the draft to select talented Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze as an elite young target – after also adding veteran Keenan Allen earlier this season.
“It's an honor and a privilege,” a tearful Williams told NFL Network after being drafted.
“I care about the fans, the community, the players and the coaches, and I care about the Chicago Bears.”
Williams and Odunze were on the same flight to Detroit for the draft, and will now be teammates for years to come in the most exciting-looking offense in Chicago, and the receiver thinks they “can do great things.”
“It's going to take a lot of work and determination,” Odunze added to NFL Network. 'I notice that he has the same determination as me. He's special.'
The Vikings expanded their quarterback pick with another trade to get edge rusher Dallas Turner, while the Los Angeles Rams spent their first first-round pick since 2017 on another edge rusher in Jared Verse.
Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs made a high-profile selection when they traded up to get speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
The Texas Longhorns made headlines at the NFL Combine by clocking a record time in the 40-yard dash, and will offer Patrick Mahomes another offensive weapon as the Chiefs look to win three straight titles.
