Everybody loves to dump on the Chicago Bears for their inferiority at quarterback. They remain the only franchise in the NFL with no 4,000-yard or 30-touchdown passers. The incredible incompetence in finding even a good quarterback, let alone a great one, over the past 80 years is astounding. Hopes are high that maybe, just maybe, Caleb Williams can break the curse. He’s the #1 overall pick in the draft. He put up tons of numbers at USC. The talent is not in question.
The Bears even did a great job surrounding him with talent. D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen are legitimate stars at wide receiver. Rome Odunze is a top-10 pick. D’Andre Swift is one of the best receiving backs in the league. That doesn’t include Cole Kmet, who is an above-average tight end. Williams should have no issue putting up solid numbers if the offensive line doesn’t completely fall apart. However, ESPN actually gave him odds to lead the NFL in passing yards. One of their reasons for this was something Bears fans may not have considered.
“Look for pass-happy coaching staffs:…
…Last year’s top 10 teams by pass rate over expectation: Chiefs, Commanders (Eric Bieniemy’s Chiefs roots showing), Vikings, Cowboys, Jaguars, Ravens (hello!), 49ers (really?!), Dolphins, Bills and Seahawks.”
Shane Waldron will likely let Caleb Williams throw.
As offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Waldron’s offense ranked 20th, 13th, and 5th in passing percentage over his three years there. He was more than comfortable throwing the ball a ton with Geno Smith, a former journeyman backup, at quarterback. Having DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at wide receiver certainly helped embolden Waldron to do this. However, it was also a philosophical thing. He seemed to believe throwing to set up the run was more successful than the other way around. Having balance is important, but getting the quarterback in a rhythm supersedes everything else.
The preseason offered a small preview of this. In the win over Cincinnati, Caleb Williams threw the ball on his first three plays of the game. While all three were incompletions, it was a clear indication the Bears didn’t mind letting him put it up early and often. Combine this approach with the weapons they’ve assembled, and it could lead to way more passing yards than people are projecting. It probably won’t lead the entire NFL, but it isn’t crazy to presume he threatens that elusive 4,000-yard mark.
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Anyone who thinks the game with the Titans will be easy is fooling themselves. It may end up being a relative blowout one way or another. Turnovers will be the key to the game. Poles has done a very competent job with the available resources and has made a huge step forward. Caleb needs to perform at an average level on Sunday. If he does then the ball will come out on time and even if they are incomplete, he will be upright and avoid giving up negative plays from sacks and keep the defense honest for play action. As… Read more »
@Veece, thanks for your thorough and calculated analysis. I am going to take such into account with Vegas. You presented many variables I must deal with in the wager. I want to maintain my American ties too.
Nice post, Veece. Well thought out. I’m going with Poles saying we are ten deep along the OL. If Nate is one of the best 5, so be it. Poles had said in one of the videos posted a few days ago, something along the lines of …it’s been surprising how everything has fallen into place so easily…and I agree with that. JMHO, offensively, our TEs need to be dynamic into their routes, and defensively it all starts from our sparkplug, the 3T. I’ve said that all along. Dr. Mel brought up Tommie yesterday, and that’s an entirely different day… Read more »
A few observations before the Bears start their 2024 NFL season… 1) In the first game, teams are not game ready. Starters have yet to get acclimated to the grind of a FULL 60 minutes of physicality causing many players to be gassed by the end of the 3rd quarter. The team that executes and minimizes mistakes will win. 2)The biggest concern for the Bears is the OL. Will Nate Davis show up or take plays off? He’s lined up across 2X Pro Bowler Jeffrey Simmons, one of the league’s best DTs. Since Davis is the Bears’ weak link, Waldron… Read more »
Tom Waddle told ya.