At an EA Sports event at Navy Pier, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams welcomed the challenge of a potential playoff meeting with Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, while also describing his growing momentum as the cover athlete for Madden 27 and his plans for th
When Caleb Williams stepped in front of a crowd at EA Sports’ Opening Drive event at the tip of Navy Pier, he didn’t talk like someone waiting for the playoffs. He talked like someone already mapping out the kind of problems a defense could hand him.
“I hope this guy gets rolling at the end of the year. ” Williams said in reference to Myles Garrett. the Browns edge rusher the Rams traded for this week. “Another she-wolf in the NFC. ” he added. mixing Roman history with a moment of playfulness that landed with the audience before he brought it back to football: if the Bears see Garrett again. it would likely be because they’re still playing deep into the season.
The Bears don’t have the Rams on their schedule this year, and Williams’ comment carried the obvious condition—any matchup would have to be a rematch of last season’s playoff thriller.
Garrett’s reputation isn’t subtle. Williams framed the deal as one more looming challenge for the conference. saying he hoped Garrett would not only be available. but be in prime form. “So we’ll hopefully see him at the end of the year,” he said. “Since he’s not on the schedule. Hopefully not. But if we do, it means we’re in the playoffs and we’re rolling. So super excited. Good for them.”.
Williams was also asked whether the Bears might be looking to sign a free agent edge rusher this offseason, and he didn’t try to step into decisions he said weren’t his to make. “As you know, it’s not my realm …” he said, then turned to what he expects from the players already on the roster.
“We’re expecting big things from them. ” Williams said. naming Montez Sweat and Austin Booker as part of the Bears’ defensive front. He also pointed to Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner—two players the Bears “got” last year—saying both were “wanting to be in the position to step up and make plays for us.” Williams said that’s what the team is waiting on. and what they’re hoping for.
If the Garrett trade put another name in that larger picture. the evening also brought Williams into a different spotlight altogether: he was revealed as the cover subject for Madden 27. Thursday’s rollout was built for fans as much as it was for media. with Williams introduced to a crowd of influencers and making podcast appearances while EA Sports unveiled a Madden mini-movie that placed actor Vince Vaughn in the role of GM of the Bears.
In that surreal stretch, Williams sat in conversation with former players Cam Newton, Michael Vick and Chad Ochocinco. College mascots from Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas Tech and Syracuse moved through the scenes in puffy shoes. Williams’ parents were there, and teammate Rome Odunze was also in attendance.
The game comes with two separate covers. Williams is on both: one cover features him making a jump throw. and the deluxe version shows him rubbing his arms in his “Iceman” celebration. Williams said putting the jump-throw cover in front of the Chicago skyline was his idea. and he wanted to pay homage to the famous photo of Michael Jordan dunking with the skyline in the background.
“It was more of a respect thing, bringing retro back, not letting people forget that, and doing it on my side of the world of football,” Williams said. “Paying respect to that and him and what he was able to do in Chicago.”
Williams said he isn’t just referencing Jordan from afar—he’s working toward meeting him. “He’s working on meeting up with soon,” Williams said, tying the gesture back to his own big plans.
Those plans go back to his early NFL confidence. Before he was drafted, Williams famously said he wanted to surpass Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings. And when he plays video games, he chooses the Bears—so he can be the quarterback himself.
Being the first Bears player ever to land on the main cover of “Madden” is part of that same forward momentum. Williams said. but not the finish line. “It’s another small steppingstone to tell me to keep going. that I’m going in the right direction …” he said. “I’m in the position I want to be in and I’ve got the people around me. from coach to teammates … [and] my support system to also remind me to keep going. This wasn’t the end-all, be-all goal for me. …”.
“I’ve got some big goals.”
The goals will have to meet the realities of the Bears’ season as well, including their hope that Rome Odunze can bounce back. Odunze’s rough season included a foot injury that might not ever totally go away.
Still. on an offseason built for adjustments. the team is also looking ahead at the way opponents may try to deal with their backfield. Prior to the season. Bears running back Stevenson spent part of his offseason talking to Bears offensive coaches. asking a hypothetical question: how would they attack him?.
Caleb Williams Bears Myles Garrett Browns Rams Madden 27 EA Sports Navy Pier Rome Odunze Montez Sweat Austin Booker Dayo Odeyingbo Shemar Turner Vince Vaughn