The NFL is a competitive league. Everybody wants to win. Some teams are willing to go to almost any lengths to make that happen, including outright cheating. The Chicago Bears aren’t going that far. However, head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff aren’t naive. They understand that the game is often decided by referees. Their willingness or unwillingness to make calls in crucial situations can determine the course of seasons. Chicago understands this all too well. As a result, it appears the Bears are laying the groundwork to ensure their young quarterback, Caleb Williams, gets favorable treatment from the zebras.
The second episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks revealed a meeting between the rookie, Eberflus, and the team Director of Research & Analysis, Harrison Freid. During it, they talked to Williams about the necessity of getting to know every referee crew over the course of the season. Having a good relationship with all of them might be the difference between a roughing the passer call and the whistle staying in their pockets. Williams’ goal would be simple. Cozy up to them whenever possible.
Caleb Williams’ lesson comes from the Bears’ prior experience.
Fans likely remember that one of the biggest complaints over the past few years was the egregiously low number of unnecessary roughness calls Justin Fields would get. There were several instances where defenders hit him late, either on a pass or a scramble, and there was no call. Meanwhile, guys like Patrick Mahomes get a flag if you breathe on them wrong. The Bears weren’t quiet about their frustrations with this unfair treatment. It appears they’ve decided to channel those lessons into helping their prized #1 pick protect himself.
They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease. People may hate players who constantly complain to the refs. Here’s the thing: it often works. LeBron James constantly whines to the refs because he knows it will eventually get a call or two in his favor. Tom Brady was the same way. Suffering in silence is dumb. If the refs insist on making calls that will influence your chances to win, you might as well try to influence them in your favor. That is what Caleb Williams is learning to do.
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