The hype around Caleb Williams this summer got a little out of control. Let’s just be honest. The #1 overall pick was earning comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Everybody was saying he’s the next big thing. Nick Saban warned Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus that expectations can be a killer for a young quarterback. The developmental process is what matters. Don’t worry about the speed bumps. Stay focused on the process. It appears the Bears had that perspective after the rookie’s frustrating debut against the Tennessee Titans.
Williams managed only 93 yards passing, completing 14-of-29 throws. Critics pounced on him for having such an atrocious performance. However, former Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly disagreed with those assessments. He explained why on 670 The Score.
Titans safety Quandre Diggs told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune after the game that Williams’ struggles weren’t a surprise. Tennessee threw a lot of different looks at him. Looks he never saw in college. The rookie also deserves credit for something overlooked in that game.
“We made it hard for him with different things we do defensively,” Titans safety Quandre Diggs said. “He’s learning. I think today was a good learning experience for him. No matter if people say he played bad, he was able to get a win today. We had the momentum. If we would have gotten the ball (from Williams), that would have really flipped it.”
Most rookies would’ve started pressing a lot more in that game, trying to make something happen. That almost always leads to turnovers. Williams had enough presence of mind not to do that. He protected the football, knowing the defensive and special teams were building momentum in the second half. He also led a critical field goal drive late in the 3rd quarter to close the gap 17-13. Then, after the defense got the lead with their pick-six score, he led a drive that killed three minutes and 30 seconds of crucial clock.
Besides, it’s not like Williams was the only problem in that game.
Keenan Allen dropped a clear touchdown in the first half. Coleman Shelton struggled all day at center, leading to consistent interior pressure. Asking a rookie like Caleb Williams to handle that is unfair. The entire offense needs to shoulder the blame. Other guys need to step up, too. The important thing is neither Williams nor the Bears seemed panicked by the outcome. Coaches knew it would take time for the quarterback to learn. In the meantime, the defense would shoulder most of the burden.
