What has Bears QB Caleb Williams really gained from his tumultuous rookie season?
When Bears general manager Ryan Poles took the job in January 2022 and surveyed what the team had done with quarterback Justin Fields in his rookie season, it was hard to get a read on the situation. Between poor coaching, poor personnel around him and a poor plan for his development, it “clouded” any evaluation of what the Bears really had in Fields.
They’re at a similar point with Caleb Williams.
Like Fields, Williams has shown flashes of potential and signs of regression while playing for incompetent coaches, dodging defenders behind a flimsy offensive line and still trying to master some of the basics of the position. There’s legitimate concern about how much he actually has gained from this miserable season and whether his incoming new coach will be somewhat starting from scratch.
Frustration and Learning
Williams would reject that idea, though he acknowledged frustration with himself for not being “able to be consistent all season” and not winning as the Bears fell to 4-12 on Thursday with a humiliating 6-3 loss to the Seahawks.
“Frustrating, annoyed, but learning,” Williams said when asked about his tumultuous rookie season. “I definitely think that this is going to be good for me. Excited about this [final] game and then excited about the future.”
A Long Way to Go
Any belief that this has been substantially beneficial or excitement about facing the Packers next weekend or the future of a team that has lost 10 games in a row is purely faith at this point. The evidence that any of that will prove true is scarce.
There’s an ominous feeling descending on Halas Hall that most of this season, which began with Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron coaching Williams, has been a total waste.
The New Coach’s Challenge
The new coach’s job will be to sort out which games are more reflective of the player Williams truly is. Is there enough concrete in his good outings to build from and guide him to a breakout in 2025, or are his struggles with footwork, decisiveness in the pocket and grasp of things he can no longer get away with now that he’s out of college going to require a total makeover?
The problem with Williams’ night against the Seahawks is that it wasn’t an aberration. He’s had six games with a passer rating under 70, including two in the second half of the season. It was the third time in four games he passed for fewer than 200 yards.
A Long Road Ahead
The Bears’ offense punted on its first five possessions against the 49ers to begin the month, opened by punting, fumbling or turning it over five times against the Vikings and started with four punts or lost fumbles against the Lions, then punted seven of the first eight possessions in the loss to the Seahawks.
Fields never got a pass for things like that, even as a rookie, and Williams doesn’t, either. His 87.4 passer rating for the season, albeit as a rookie, is barely better than the 86.3 that got Fields sent out of town, so this has to be merely a starting point.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s difficult to determine what Caleb Williams has truly gained from his tumultuous rookie season. While he has shown flashes of potential, his struggles with consistency and decision-making have been a major concern. The new coach will have to work to untangle the mess and help Williams develop into the quarterback the team needs him to be.
FAQs
Q: What is the main concern with Caleb Williams’ performance this season?
A: His struggles with consistency and decision-making, particularly in crucial situations.
Q: What is the challenge facing the new coach?
A: Sorting out which games are more reflective of Williams’ true abilities and determining whether he needs a total makeover to reach his potential.
Q: How does Williams view his rookie season?
A: He sees it as a learning experience and believes it will ultimately be beneficial for his development.
