Chicago Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams is shining in his second NFL season, but he’s no longer accompanied by his high school sweetheart who was a pillar of support during his rookie year.
Williams has been under the spotlight since being picked first overall by the Bears in 2024. Despite winning the Heisman Trophy at USC, he had a disappointing 5-12 record last season as a rookie.
This year, however, Williams and the Bears are enjoying an 8-3 run and currently lead the NFC North.
During his rookie year, Alina Thyregod was often spotted cheering him on at several NFL games after they rekindled their romance. The pair were high school sweethearts, but reportedly called it quits in May following their decision to date again in 2023.
Thyregod was by Williams’ side at the 2024 NFL Draft when the Bears chose the USC quarterback as their first pick. A few months later, Williams posted pictures on social media commemorating their first anniversary.
Known for maintaining privacy around his personal life, rumors began to circulate that Williams and Thyregod had parted ways. At that time, Thyregod still had photos with the quarterback on her Instagram account.
Like Williams, Thyregod also prefers to keep her personal life under wraps, but she has only shared solo pictures since their alleged split. During this past offseason, Williams was spotted hanging out with actress Madelyn Cline, but it remains unclear whether they’re dating or just friends.
Williams showed up solo at the Miami Grand Prix back in May, sparking rumors that he was back on the market. The next month found him at Summer Smash in the Chicago area, where Young Thug and Chance the Rapper headlined the festivities.
The Bears signal-caller rolled up with a big crew of friends, but seemed especially tight with Cline. The duo was spotted getting their groove on and belting out tunes at the festival, though they’ve kept things under wraps publicly ever since.
While romance rumors swirl, Williams has elevated his game for the Bears in his sophomore campaign, with Chicago sitting pretty at a 59 percent shot of making the playoffs. The Bears haven’t tasted postseason action since 2020 and last claimed the NFC North crown back in 2018.
Williams sits just four touchdown passes away from matching his rookie haul of 20, with six contests left on Chicago’s slate. Williams has also racked up 2,568 passing yards this season, appearing far more composed under new head coach Ben Johnson’s guidance.
The biggest transformation from last season centers on protection, as Williams absorbed 68 sacks across 17 games. Through 11 outings this year, Williams has hit the turf just 17 times.
Despite the improved blocking, tight end Cole Kmet pinpointed the most dramatic change he’s witnessed in Williams this season. “His command of the huddle, just the way he’s commanding it and getting the playcall out, has been night and day from last year,” Kmet said.
“That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but when you think about what these guys are asked to do in college… versus now when Ben Johnson is giving you two, three complicated playcalls at a time and you’ve got to spit all of that out to us with confidence in the huddle, it’s just all a lot smoother and more confident from him this year.”
