Caleb WIlliams has an elite arm. He’s accurate. He can run and improvise better than any quarterback in this class. However, everybody knows the story. That stuff alone won’t make you great in the NFL. If you want to become one of the best, it comes down to two words: processing speed. This refers to a quarterback’s ability to evaluate what a defense is doing post-snap and quickly decide where to go with the ball. This must be done in a matter of three seconds. Few quarterbacks are ever able to master this ability.
It was the primary reason Justin Fields failed to keep his job with the Chicago Bears. For all his incredible athletic feats, it was evident too many times that he couldn’t decipher what defenses were doing quickly enough. By the time he figured it out, it was too late. The timing of the play was off, and he had to resort to backyard football. Some fear Williams may have the same problems. However, Albert Breer of the MMQB discovered some on that front when reaching out to other NFL teams during the evaluation period.
He explained on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Caleb Williams understands situations and circumstances.
Many quarterbacks would’ve taken the easy path. They would’ve thrown it to Rice and hoped he could get those couple of extra yards for the first down. Williams saw a different opening and trusted his ability enough to make the call to tuck and run. It worked out. If it had been second down, there is no question he would’ve thrown that ball. The fact that Rice’s route wasn’t deep enough compelled him to make a judgment call. Again, he’s doing all of this in a matter of seconds. That is not something ordinary people do.
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This is why context is so critical in tape evaluation. All you have is what you see. What you don’t have is what the quarterback saw and what was required of him on a given play. To people watching, he overlooked an easy layup pass for a reckless run that could’ve gotten him hurt. To him, it was a calculated risk on a money down to keep an important drive alive. That is Caleb Williams’ job. Assess the situation, weigh the risks, and make a decision. The only difference is he must do it at lightning speed.
It appears he can.
@Rick Deckard….you are absolutely correct. Its all there on his scouting report from the draft. Nothing changed.
No offense to anyone, but seriously, could Fields be autistic? HE still is a major mystery to many Bears’ fans, including me.
Fields slow processing speed and slow throwing motion was noticed and discussed ad nauseum leading into the ’21 draft. That’s why he was the fourth qb picked.
Although Williams has a habit of holding the ball longer than most qbs, Williams does have a much faster throwing motion than Fields. Physically, Williams is twitchier.
He’s like Rain-man but more athletic and with a better arm.
Fields’ slow processing speed should have been discovered before drafting him. A terrible mistake made by whom?