Since he first arrived in April, people have tried to figure out what kind of person Caleb Williams is. Nobody can dispute that the Chicago Bears quarterback is talented. He can do almost anything on the football field. Arm strength? Accuracy? Improvisation? Mobility? He has all the tools. However, the key to his success in the NFL depends on his interaction with his teammates and what kind of leader he is. One comment that seemed to repeat in the weeks leading up to the draft is that Williams didn’t carry himself as somehow high and mighty. He was just one of the guys.
Anyone who has occupied a locker room in competitive sports would know it’s a tradition for players to bust each other’s chops at every opportunity. It turns out Williams doesn’t mind being a ballbreaker himself. D’Andre Swift found that out the hard way during the Bears’ win over the Carolina Panthers. In the 2nd quarter, Williams hit the running back on a screen that went for 42 yards. Swift ended up going down at the 1-yard line. The quarterback gave him an earful about not getting in the end zone after the play.
It cost him a touchdown pass. That would’ve been his second of the game at the time and made for three in total along with the one he’d toss to DJ Moore on the next drive. Quarterbacks may not prioritize their stats, but they want them to look good whenever possible. By going down at the one, Williams knew the Bears would end up running the ball on the next play to finish off the drive, robbing him of the touchdown. Sure enough, Swift got the handoff a few seconds later.
This is what people meant when saying Caleb Williams is just one of the guys. He isn’t above giving teammates grief when can’t finish off a big play with a score. The fact it cost him a touchdown pass on a play where Swift did 95% of the work makes it even more hilarious.
