Caleb Williams already has NFL defenders wanting to trash talk

Before he’s even played a down in the NFL, Caleb Williams has defenders circling their matchups with the Chicago Bears on their calendars. Star defensive tackle of the Tennessee Titans, Jeffrey Simmons, appeared on the Rich Eisen Show this week. Simmons discussed his love of talking trash and trying to get in opponents’ heads. Later, he had some choice words for Williams, who will be his Week 1 opponent in September.

When Eisen brought up this looming matchup, here’s what Simmons had to say:

“Painted nails. I can’t wait to say that to him… it’s gonna be one of those games.” Simmons added, “All the hype’s gonna be around [Chicago]… that also makes me even talk more smack and boost me up a little more, get into a different mode, as well.”

Jeffery Simmons is ready for Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/E75FA4HgMG

— PFF (@PFF) June 26, 2024

However, Simmons didn’t deny that the hype around Williams is warranted. “I get it. You’ve got a first-round pick like Caleb Williams, who is a great player. Watched a couple of games when he was at USC, he’s a hell of a player. But it’s a different league [in the NFL] and I’m excited to play him the first game.”

You can see the full clip of Simmons speaking with Eisen on his show below.

Is @Titans DT @GrindSimmons94 the best trash-talking defensive lineman in the #NFL? And what does he have planned for Week 1 against Caleb Williams?#TitanUp @CALEBcsw pic.twitter.com/z15t48ea5R

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 25, 2024

During the offseason, Williams made a habit of “liking” tweets from accounts that doubted him or talked trash about his NFL prospects. While we can no longer see “liked” tweets, I’m sure Williams has filed this one away and will remember it for their September 8th matchup.

Simmons is a phenomenal player who has earned every penny of his blockbuster $94 million deal, and he’s probably going to get to Caleb a time or two in that game. The key for Williams will be to not let Simmons get inside his head. But Bears fans shouldn’t worry. Williams has played football at a high level for years now, and I’m sure he’s no stranger to trash talk. If he wants the last laugh over Simmons, all he has to do is play his game, get the ball to his immensely talented receivers like he’s done several times already in OTA’s, and win.