Caleb Williams was widely considered the #1 quarterback in the 2024 draft class. Few disputed that. Yet it didn’t stop people from nitpicking his games. By far, the most common criticism leveled on the USC star was his tendency to hold the ball too long. He’d try playing the hero too often, seeking the big plays rather than taking the easier throws. That led to questions about whether he could play on time and in the structure of an offense. Chicago Bears started getting nervous. Is this another Justin Fields situation?
Will Hewlett has more insight into this subject than most. He has been Williams’ personal quarterback tutor since junior high school and has a better understanding of the quarterback’s strengths and weaknesses than any self-proclaimed scout. It didn’t take Hewlett long to challenge the notion that Williams can’t play any other way than off-script. He listed multiple reasons to Bill Zimmerman of the Bears Banter podcast why the quarterback played that way so much last year and why he’s anxious to put away the Superman cape.
Just go back and watch his 2022 season. The quarterback had a stronger supporting cast and better protection. This allowed him to play a more traditional style, making reads from the pocket and getting the ball to his playmakers. Such a group included future 1st round pick Jordan Addison. It can’t be a coincidence that Williams was able to play more like a conventional quarterback when he had receivers and protection to let him do that. What Hewlett says is correct. The situation must always be taken into account.
That is why the Bears felt comfortable drafting him. Remember, they had a better vantage point of Fields than anybody. If they had any sense that Caleb Williams suffered from the same issues, there is no way they would’ve drafted him #1. They saw the same things Hewlett did. Give him a good scheme with a strong supporting cast, and he’ll play the position the way it was meant to be played. Williams wasn’t throwing to D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze in college.
He will in Chicago.
