Every offseason, a certain type of online atmosphere develops around NFL quarterbacks, and this year it centered on Caleb Williams. AI-generated pictures of the Bears’ young quarterback purportedly carrying fifty extra pounds started making the rounds sometime between OTAs and the initial preseason rumors. It’s the kind of joke that goes viral because it’s so blatantly false, yet people continue to spread it. As evidence that absurdity spreads more quickly than nuance, trolls are creating AI versions of Caleb Williams at OTAs with noticeable weight gain. The posts have received hundreds of likes on Instagram and X.
Observing this development, it’s odd how little it truly relates to Williams. His listed height of six feet one and 226 pounds hasn’t changed much since his draft year, and his on-field tape from the previous season didn’t show any signs of a conditioning decline. On the contrary, if anything. Despite throwing for almost 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, he managed to get sacked just 24 times in 17 games, which was more than most quarterbacks who threw for more yards. That doesn’t fit the description of someone who has given up. It’s the profile of a man who had a breakout year by most accounts.
Why is there even a rumor? In part, it’s just the nature of fan culture these days, where jokes and altered photos can create a story in a matter of hours. The fact that USC’s roster bulked up by an estimated 1,400 pounds the year after he left for the NFL may have contributed to some fans’ lingering skepticism. Strangely, this fact seems to have stuck in their memories and attached itself to him rather than the team he left. That’s how funny memory is. It blends things until someone else’s story ends up on the wrong person.
Williams has talked about his real relationship with food, and it’s much less dramatic than the memes portray. In an interview with Maxx Crosby on his podcast, “The Rush,” he talked about setting aside a specific amount of time each offseason—roughly two months—to unwind and engage in light exercise like yoga and other sports instead of putting in a rigorous schedule. He was even more picky about what he ate, acknowledging that he indulged in anything-goes eating for about two weeks before returning to his regular diet. It’s a methodical approach disguised as informal; athletes talk about it with such ease that you almost forget how much structure it actually calls for.
Even though it never quite keeps up with the jokes, there’s something almost comforting about that candor. For their part, Bears supporters appear to take more pleasure in the running joke than they realize, viewing it as loving jabs rather than sincere worries. It remains to be seen if that goodwill endures a difficult season. But for the time being, Williams seems to understand that the numbers on the field tell a more compelling story than any AI-altered image could, and he is happy to ignore the commotion while he returns to his plan.
FAQs
1. How much does Caleb Williams actually weigh?
He’s listed at 6’1″ and 226 pounds.
2. Why are people saying Caleb Williams gained weight?
AI-generated images falsely depicted him with significant weight gain.
3. Did Caleb Williams’ weight affect his 2025 season performance?
No, he threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns.
4. What does Caleb Williams’ offseason diet actually look like?
Mostly disciplined, with about two indulgent weeks annually.
5. Is the USC weight gain story actually about Caleb Williams?
No, that referred to USC’s roster after he left.