Caleb Williams is no longer Chicago’s only rising superstar as another Caleb arrives to the city with massive expectations of his own
The city of Chicago is on the upswing with its sports with quarterback Caleb Williams leading the Chicago Bears to new heights and now forward Caleb Wilson joining the Chicago Bulls.
The city of Chicago used to be a pinnacle of the sports world with stars like Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Brian Urlacher running the city and headlining the national media. Those days seemed like a distant memory that wouldn’t be replicated again. That is, until the Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams joined the Bears at their absolute worst. He was drafted first overall not just to be the savior of the Bears but to be the savior of the entire city. He had untapped star potential and it only took two seasons for him to be one of the faces of the NFL and a rising superstar.
“You come to a big city like Chicago with fans that love their sports, it’s what he’s built for.” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said of his quarterback.
Williams has brought juice, excitement, and energy to the city of Chicago, along with some high expectations. As of Tuesday night, he’s no longer the lone rising star looking to reignite this city.
Caleb Williams has a new rising star in Chicago after the Bulls drafted Caleb Wilson
Tuesday night, the NBA held the first-round of the 2026 Draft. With the fourth overall pick, the Chicago Bulls selected North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson as the team’s next franchise player. It didn’t take long for comparisons to start between Wilson and another former UNC star drafted Top-5 by the Bulls.
It goes to show the level of high expectations this city has for its stars and like Williams before him, Wilson is more focused on paving his own path while recognizing the legends.
“I’m writing my own story, man,” Wilson said after being drafted. “Honestly, I want to be better than Mike. I know it’s a lot to go, but I’m writing my own story for sure. I feel like it’s a great pipeline from UNC to the Bulls. I’m just ready to keep it going.”
Just a few weeks ago, Williams was named the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27. On the cover, Williams paid his respects to Michael Jordan in a creative way by replicating the “Jump Man” pose above the city skyline.
“That’s the position I want to be in, but I also wanted to pay respect to MJ,” Williams said. “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. Paying respect to that and him and what he was able to do in Chicago. Just honestly wanted to bring that energy, that vibe back.”
In won’t be long until Wilson takes over the league in similar fashion and starts earning some of the same spotlight while representing this city on a global stage of his own.
“I want to be the greatest player of all time,” Wilson added during his press conference. “Y’all got one of the GOATs in y’all’s history right now, so it’s time for another one. I’m hungry to be the greatest; that’s me.”
For Williams and Wilson, it’s not about being “Like Mike” it’s about being even more. It’s mighty high expectations but the future of sports in Chicago has never looked brighter.