Bears QB Caleb Williams shares why he paints his nails

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams does not care what people think about his painted nails. It has arguably evolved into his personal expression and identity in the NFL. How did it all start? He went to a nail salon with an ex-girlfriend in college and decided to give it a try. MORE: Chicago Bears shoot down claim team will change name to reflect possible Indiana move “I know who I am. I know what I like,” Williams said. Williams eventually painted several nails at a time. He even used them to troll opponents. At one point, he put “F*** Texas” and a horns-down symbol on his nails. Williams let it rip during his “The Rush Podcast” appearance with Maxx Crosby and Brogan Roback. “The nails thing is just something I used to do,” Williams said. “It used to be a little bit more of a motivation thing. Now I do cool designs on it. Now I do supportive things. I’ve done the mental health number on it, suicide prevention number, breast cancer awareness. “It’s like wearing pink cleats and pink headbands. It’s just gel on my nails. People feel a certain way about it in a masculine sport, and I give no f***, to be honest with you. I could care less. I’m going to keep doing it. It’s unique to me.” That confidence fits Williams’ personality. Caleb Williams by the numbers Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Chicago drafted Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 after he won the Heisman Trophy with the USC Trojans in 2022. Williams also took a major step forward in 2025. He completed 330-of-568 passes for 3,942 yards and had 27 touchdowns. He set a Bears single-season record for passing yards. The USC product is set for his third NFL season with bigger expectations. He also enters it on his own terms. The nails stay. So does the personality. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —