Need help setting up controller for NFS Most Wanted PC

Title basically.  How do I setup a controller to play on PC?  I keep getting an error message that reads "That controller has not been setup.  please go to the controls menu in gameplay settings to configure it."

When I go there, the game just stares back at me like it's mocking me.  I select my controller and go to assign the first command and I get this error message and nothing is assigned.

If anyone has any tips, I'd greatly appreciate it!