CHICAGO -- The video clip quickly made its way across social media platforms on Monday night. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams -- one night after a tough loss to the Rams in the NFL playoffs -- was sitting in the front row at the United Center for a Blackhawks game.
As the crowd went wild at the hockey game, showing appreciation for the incredible season on the gridiron, Williams pounded the glass repeatedly and then pointed to his right with his thumb. The camera panned and there was Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, creating another rowdy reaction from the fans on hand.
“It’s buzzing. It’s buzzing here,” Crow-Armstrong said of the Chicago sports scene during Cubs Convention over the weekend.
Crow-Armstrong has played an increasingly starring role in the energy around the city right now, given his place on a Cubs team that made the postseason last year and looks primed for another run in ‘26. Williams just led Da Bears to a division title and pulled off late-game miracle after miracle until the magic ran out in overtime on Sunday.
On Monday night, they were in attendance to watch the Blackhawks, who have one of the game’s bright young stars in Connor Bedard. Crow-Armstrong has been at multiple Chicago sporting events this winter and fans around the city have posted photos of encounters with him at various spots.
The 23-year-old Crow-Armstrong quipped that his friendship with the 24-year-old Williams started in “a very Gen-Z way” -- over social media. They had also crossed paths in Williams’ visits to Wrigley Field and the duo hit it off. In December, Crow-Armstrong even joined Williams for a charity event with the quarterback’s foundation.
Stardom has found Crow-Armstrong in a city that embraces its stars, and he is embracing it right back.
“I’m just trying to act my age,” Crow-Armstrong said, “and live here and spend time here before it becomes about my job -- my job that I love so much. I’ve just really enjoyed kind of getting to do everything. It also helps when I can scan myself into the facility and go do my work there. I love it.”
Crow-Armstrong added that the Bears had been good for reviving some of the energy that slowed this winter after the Cubs lost to the Brewers in the National League Division Series. Then, as fate would have it, both of the historic Chicago franchises became linked as the Bears mounted an improbable comeback against the rival Packers in the NFL’s wild card round.
During the third quarter, as Williams was leading an on-field rally, news broke that the Cubs had signed star third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract. While at Soldier Field, Crow-Armstrong received a text about the deal and then more notifications began buzzing his phone.
“I was just sitting down kind of waiting and watching points slowly get put on the board,” Crow-Armstrong said. “The stress I’ve been feeling watching another team that I give a crap about, it’s on another level. But then that was very nice, when I saw the text. … He’s cool, man. He’s going to be really influential. Not only for me, obviously, but I think his reputation is pretty off the charts.”
Crow-Armstrong has already seen a glimpse of Bregman’s potential impact, too.
Beyond reaching out to his new teammates ahead of Cubs Convention, Bregman has already spent time at Wrigley Field with some for hitting and conversation. The veteran and two-time World Series champion caught up with Crow-Armstrong at the ballpark to begin talking about the season ahead.
“I can definitely see that our personalities might mix really well,” Crow-Armstrong said. “We talked for 20-30 minutes the first day he came to the facility. I had finished my workout and he sat at my locker just talking about our plan for me this year. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.”
Last season, Crow-Armstrong had a breakout performance, becoming the first player in Cubs history with at least 30 homers, 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases in a single season. He started for the NL in the All-Star Game, won his first career Gold Glove Award and picked up enough votes to finish ninth in MVP balloting.
Crow-Armstrong knows there is plenty of room for improvement, especially when his showing was much different before (.846 OPS) and after (.634 OPS) the All-Star break. While Crow-Armstrong posted a 118 OPS+ overall and played elite defense, he logged a .287 on-base percentage.
Crow-Armstrong believes Bregman can be another experienced voice to help him continue to find another level.
“He’s already instilled some confidence in me that I need to hear sometimes,” said the center fielder. “I’m just glad I’ve got another person in my corner.”
That should be exciting to hear for a city that has a fun group of young stars like Crow-Armstrong, Williams and Bedard generating energy across Chicago.
“People have got something to root for,” Crow-Armstrong said, “and I think can plan on us being around for a long time.”