When the Bears open the season by hosting the Titans Sunday, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will fulfill a dream he began chasing when he was in fifth grade.

Given the magnitude of the accomplishment, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft plans to spend a few seconds celebrating the momentous occasion before heading out onto the field.

"When feet touch the grass, it's going to be business as usual," Williams said Wednesday at Halas Hall. "But I normally like to, when I run out [into] the stadium, kind of do a little spin in the tunnel. When I'm coming out the tunnel, just kind of see the stadium, take it all in and feel the energy, the vibe and get going from there. Once I do my spin and get down to the sideline, it's go time."

Since his first day in the building, Williams has impressed the Bears with his ability to learn, retain information, develop chemistry with teammates and play arguably the most challenging position in any sport at a high level. In training camp and the preseason, the 22-year-old demonstrated the talent to execute scripted plays and make sensational off-schedule throws.

Off the field, those who've interacted with Williams describe him as genuine, authentic and comfortable with who he is and what's expected of him.

"He's a great dude," said left guard Teven Jenkins. "He knows what he's doing, and he works hard for us. Every little thing you ask him like, 'Hey, can you get a little louder on the cadences,' he will take it personal to get better because he knows that it affects everyone and not just himself."

"I wouldn't rather be with another guy right now than Caleb," added receiver Keenan Allen. "The confidence is through the roof … He's been great. He's gotten better ever since OTAs, when we first started, and just kind of seeing him get terminology, the huddle calls, how to change the plays, he's done a great job."

The Bears meticulously crafted a plan to put Williams in position to succeed, even before he was drafted. When he arrived at rookie minicamp in May, he had already been introduced to the offense—including terminology and concepts—during his top-30 visit to Halas Hall and had worked out with Allen and receiver DJ Moore. The organization also helped Williams prepare by collaborating with his private quarterback coach, Will Hewlitt.

Once Williams arrived at Halas Hall, he was asked to learn first-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's entire playbook.

"Basically having zero knowledge to the knowledge I have now of the offense has been tremendous because they've been challenging me from that stage until now," Williams said. "First day they were out there trying to get after us, get after me and bringing that challenge to me. It's been awesome the amount of ball that I've been able to see, the amount of ball that I've been able to learn from the coaches and also from being out there with the guys, listening to people like Keenan and also going versus the defense. It's been great. It's been honestly really fun, really exciting times and we're getting ready to go."

On Sunday, the Bears want Williams to quickly get the ball out of his hands to the playmakers he's surrounded by on offense.

"I'm excited to [see him] lean on his teammates, because that's what you have to do with a quarterback," Eberflus said. "He's got guys around him that have played a lot of years. Again, he's a rookie. So he's just been leaning on those guys and getting the ball to those guys and let them do their work. We have to do a good job of protecting. But yeah, just leaning in and leaning on his teammates."

"He wants to get the ball out of his hands," Allen said. "Just get it into our hands, the playmakers, the talent that coach is talking about, and just let everything happen for itself instead of trying to wait on plays that aren't really there and try to create your own plays. That's how you fall into mistakes and fall behind the downs and stuff like that. Just try to get us the ball early and let us work."

Teammates have faith that that's exactly what Williams will do in his first NFL regular-season game.

"I'm very confident," Jenkins said. "He's been showing me that he's a great leader and great quarterback ever since he's got here. I have the utmost respect for who he is and how he plays."