Everybody was ready to declare Caleb Williams a bust before the first month of his career was over. His first two games were against strong defensive opponents and he predictably struggled. His 363-yard showing against Indianapolis was the first indication he was gaining some confidence in his ability (and willingness) to turn it loose. Next came the Los Angeles Rams, where Williams demonstrated efficiency by protecting the ball and not trying to do too much. Most felt his week five against Carolina was his breakout game, topping 300 yards with two touchdowns.
They had no idea what was coming.
Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, the #1 overall pick put on a show. In a remarkable display of his maturation, Williams went 23-of-29 for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 56 yards on four carries. It was only the second time in franchise history a rookie quarterback reached four touchdowns in a game. A Bears QB had only done 16 times across their century-loss existence. Again, this was Williams’ sixth-ever game.
Caleb Williams is doing far more than many expected.
Remember, he’s a rookie. Based on long-standing NFL doctrine, rookie quarterbacks typically struggle. That was the case through the first six quarters of the season. Since then, he has had eight touchdown passes and only two interceptions. What stands out the most is his command of the offense. This isn’t a situation where the quarterback just runs the play called by his coordinator. He is given full control to make adjustments at the line depending on what he sees. His ability to read blitz looks and coverages is much further along than anybody could’ve predicted.
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Combine that with his arm strength and accuracy, and defenses are having a tougher and tougher time containing him. People will argue Caleb Williams has benefitted from a soft recent schedule. That is true. The key difference between him and previous Bears quarterbacks is he’s taking full advantage of them. That is what the good ones are supposed to do. CJ Stroud, who everybody believes is one of the best in the NFL already, had 345 yards and two TDs against Jacksonville last week.
If Williams is already that good? This team is one nobody wants to play.
It’s fascinating how we can all watch the same game and reach different conclusions. My take is straightforward: CW is putting in the work needed to become the franchise quarterback we’ve been waiting for. His arm strength is evident in every game, with quick 10-20-yard strikes that catch the linebackers and safeties off guard. The complaints from the first and second games were that he was too hyped up and overthrew the guys. I think he’s trying too hard to control it on the interceptions. Just throw it, baby. Arm strength and accuracy will come the first time he feels… Read more »
Barry ur a special kind of “fan”. YOU were the one who said you exoect CW to be out there slinging it for 300+ yards… then when he did that twice, you said “300 yards doesn’t necessarily equate to wins”. The truth is nothing CW does will make u happy cause u are still living in your Justin Fields love affair. CW had creative ideas when signing his rookie contract. They were turned down and he moved on and signed without a holdout. Just get over it man. The love of your life is not coming back sir. I am… Read more »
Love is blind, Barry. It looks like we finally have a QB, boyz!!!
Only sheep listen to everything they hear, Barry. That being said, I like that his team thinks outside the box; it’s smart business. It can’t hurt to ask, right? It seems obvious to me that CW has one MAIN goal, to win championships and be the GOAT.
@Twat Waffle Told Ya You said 300 yards of passing output in week one, Tom. Wrong. You said Justin Fields wouldn’t start a game in PIT. Wrong again.
You can’t just make up some revisionist history, or go conclusion shopping into the depths of the bowl of mashed potatoes that is your mind, and expect the audience on here, practically all of whom have functional bullshit detectors, to believe it. This isn’t the fashy side of the 2024 presidential race.
@Gator Joe I would make one point absolutely clear: Green Bay, the franchise, has dominated (e.g., “owned”) Chicago for a long, long time, not Aaron singularly. The reason why he likes to say that he, and he alone, owns Chicago boils down to the fact that he’s a contemptible, self-centered douche canoe, a view that is shared by those who know him best as well as those who have competed on the same side as him. It has never surprised me that the league’s biggest dipshit consistently goes out of his way to downplay the contributions of his teammates. It’s… Read more »