LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Caleb Williams won’t have a vote in the hiring of the next Bears head coach. That’s what general manager Ryan Poles said shortly after Matt Eberflus was let go.

 “I don’t know about specific input,” Poles said on Dec. 2, ‘but it’s got to be a major part in the interview process of making sure that there’s a plan for a young quarterback in this league.”

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Williams has some thoughts about what makes a good Bears head coach or offensive play caller, though, and discipline’s a key component in what he’s looking for.

“I would say, a coach that challenges (me), whether it’s an offensive coordinator or head coach, and also challenges us as players — whether it’s on the field or character, doesn’t matter,” Williams said in a Wednesday press conference. “Just a coach that challenges us. A man of his word. A discipline coach, meaning whatever his rules are or whatever he’s gonna bring rule-wise, how he’s gonna control the team and manage and control the team, things like that.

“I would say another one would be just guy who wants to win and helping and finding ways and helping us players and helping coaches, and whatever the case was, to pull out wins throughout the seasons, whether it’s a tough win or we blow out somebody. Just helping us and finding ways to win.”

Williams said he would have whatever influence on the hire the Bears allowed but understands if that’s nil.

“I know that I’m a rookie and a young guy, so if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make decisions and make those types of decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, just hope and believe and have faith that those guys upstairs, they make the right decisions.”

Williams presence will have a significant impact on the hire, considering candidates must present a comprehensive plan about how to develop the young quarterback and maximize his talent.

We’ve heard a ton about the Bears looking for a leader of men, which has been expressed by players in the locker room, many of whom have seperately lamented a lack of accountability and discipline during this 2024 campaign.

Cornerback Kyler Gordon was asked about qualities desired in a head coach earlier in the week, and echoed Williams’ sentiments about what he’s looking for.

“Just come in here and enforce discipline. That’s it,” Gordon said on Monday. “Just be strict, you know? I want you to be a player’s coach, obviously for the players, but just come in and be strict. Discipline, just with passion and love. That’s it, really.”