When you’re about to become the #1 pick in the NFL draft, it is natural for people to do everything in their power to pinpoint all the negatives about you. They want people to know why the chances are good everything will go wrong. This way, they can pat themselves on the back if and when they’re right. There is a reason it’s referred to as nitpicking season. Caleb Williams is no different. Since it became clear he was going #1 to the Chicago Bears; the analysis began on how it likely goes wrong since that organization has no concept of developing quarterbacks.
Perhaps the most prevalent criticism of Williams is the idea all of his success comes when he improvises out of structure, making crazy plays on the run. While fun to watch, critics quickly point out that kind of playing style won’t last in the NFL. Defenses are too smart and too fast. They will catch up to him eventually. He will never reach his full potential unless Williams learns how to play with processing speed inside the pocket.
Ted Ngyuen, a widely respected tape analyst for The Athletic who has zero ties to the Bears, took exception to such statements. From what he’s seen, the USC quarterback is more than capable of playing the traditional style.
In reality, he leaned heavily on his out-of-structure style in 2023 because he had little choice. His wide receivers couldn’t consistently get open. The offensive line did a poor job protecting him all year. Even the offensive scheme was guilty of not giving him enough easy outlets on throws. Yet it was his job to make it all work. Williams did. USC went 8-5, which is far better than they would’ve gone had he not played that year. That is what franchise-caliber quarterbacks do. They elevate everyone else around them.
Nobody is saying Caleb Williams is perfect. He has work to do, just like every other young quarterback entering the NFL. His pocket work isn’t clean. There is still plenty he can work on. Teaching him to move on to the next play is a big part of that. He must learn when to put on the Superman cape and when to keep it in the drawer. Every great quarterback went through the same process. It falls on the Bears to do everything in their power to make that as easy for him as possible.
