Caleb Williams did everything possible to ensure he was the best quarterback in college football over the past two years. He won a lot of games, put up ridiculous stats, and had a highlight reel a mile long. However, the NFL draft is notorious for becoming nitpicky on every prospect. While nobody could deny his incredible ability to make plays off-script, people had misgivings about his pocket passing. They felt he abandoned opportunities to take the easier throws in favor of putting on the Superman cape.
Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune spoke to USC passing game coordinator Dennis Simmons about this. His answer was rather shocking. Though he didn’t throw out specific names, he sure dropped some not-so-subtle hints that Williams wasn’t able to be a pocket passer last year because of his protection.
I mean, I don’t think he would throw for as many yards as he has without being able to play on script. So I mean, last time I checked, they weren’t letting him just sit back there forever and pick them apart. His whole career, whether it was here or the previous place, he’s had pressure on him.
Yeah, do things happen quicker in the NFL than in college? I wouldn’t argue that point. But I would argue that this dude has had, at every level of his career, especially with the accolades and who he is, there’s been people trying to get to him when they’re playing.
Simmons didn’t want to make the point but felt compelled to. He’s not wrong. In 2023, USC’s offensive line allowed 2.75 sacks per game, which was 106th in the nation. Williams was under pressure almost constantly against better teams like Notre Dame, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Being a pocket passer is almost impossible when you don’t have time to set your feet.
He proved that often in 2022. USC’s offensive line was considerably better that year. UCLA sacked him only twice in that season’s meeting. Williams threw for 470 yards. Notre Dame only sacked him twice. Williams threw for 232 yards with no interceptions and put up 38 points. Don’t be fooled. Just because he didn’t throw from the pocket much last year wasn’t because he’s incapable of it. The protection just never gave him many opportunities. That can and should change this season.
Chicago doesn’t have what you’d call an elite offensive line, but it is a solid one. Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright are young, athletic tackles who showed loads of promise last season. Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis are above-average guards when they’re healthy. If Ryan Bates or Coleman Shelton can be at least serviceable at center, this group should give Caleb Williams plenty of protection. Together with four viable pass targets headlined by D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, he may not have to worry about getting sacks too often anymore.
