CHICAGO — Just as the tulips blooming around Chicago every spring bring the promise of summer, this year’s NFL draft seemed to bring the promise of change for Bears fans.

As the saying goes, hope springs eternal.

Thursday night while the front office assembled at Halas Hall, prepared to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, fans assembled at Soldier Field buzzed with excitement.

One fan dropped down as if he was doing a push-up and kissed the stadium grass.

“This is where (Williams) and the Bears are gonna lead us to the playoffs,” he said before moving on to participate in the quarterback skills game setup on the field.

Adults and children alike ran, played and took selfies as they eagerly awaited the official start of the draft event in Detroit. Party anthems blasted through the stadium and fans lined up to participate in games and take pictures with the team’s mascot, Staley Da Bear.

Among a sea of navy and orange jerseys, a few USC cardinal and gold No. 13 jerseys stood out. Despite the wintry feel in the stadium, fans were grinning and bearing it. Unlike the home games played a few months ago here, this time it seemed worth it.

Jake Schleicher, 26, of Frankfort has spent much of his life watching the Bears lose.

“I’m a big Caleb believer and I think he’s gonna be the bomb,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “Just give him some time. He’s gonna be great. I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time. I really hope it works out.”

Schleicher, trying to temper his expectations somewhat, said for Williams’ first season, he’d like to see the Bears win nine games and make a playoff push.

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