Titans HC Brian Callahan has high praise for Bears rookie Caleb Williams

Tennessee Titans first-year head coach Brian Callahan has quite the matchup for his NFL debut, taking on the Chicago Bears on the road with rookie No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams looking to start his Bears career off right.

With a tough assignment to start his head coaching career, Callahan admits he's a fan of the rookie gunslinger, but hopes he doesn't get everything off to a hot start against Tennessee on Sunday.

Speaking to the media this week ahead of their season opening matchup against the Bears, Callahan praised Williams as the No. 1 pick, but hopes the bad luck of top quarterback picks continues on. Of the last top 10 No. 1 quarterbacks selected to start, their combined record in Week 1 is 0-9-1, and Williams will look to break that trend against the Titans. Callahan acknowledges Williams will have to "earn it" but hopes it doesn't begin in Week 1.

"He's everything a No. 1 pick you would expect to be," Callahan said. "You have to treat him as such and treat him with that kind of respect. Obviously you have to earn that in this league. He's got to do it in regular-season games. I just hope it isn't in the first week."

The praise for Williams is not just because of his standing as the No. 1 pick and new starter for the Bears. For Callahan, who is known for his offensive mind and work with quarterbacks, the respect and admiration for Williams goes back to what he did in college at USC.

"I'm a huge fan of Caleb Williams and what he did at USC, I've watched him over the years," Callahan said. "Really dynamic player. It's really fun as a fan of quarterbacks to watch him play."

Callahan will have the tough task of slowing down the new-look Bears offense with Williams at the helm. And while he praises the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, he's hoping to slow down the beginning of his NFL career.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Titans HC Brian Callahan praises Bears rookie Caleb Williams