LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- As losses piled up during Caleb Williams' rookie season with the Chicago Bears last year, something about the No. 1 overall pick changed. Something was missing.
It wasn't just his confidence level or joy of the game that was challenged by a 10-game losing streak or a league-high 68 sacks, this was less nuanced.
Williams stopped painting his nails.
He became known for it during his Heisman Trophy run at USC in 2022. Loud colors (and messages) served as self-expression, and he carried it over to the Bears -- at least in the beginning.