The Chicago Bears media is always difficult to win over when it comes to the quarterback position. They’ve seen a lot of bad in their time covering the team. While they try to remain professional throughout their coverage, most of them are fans at heart too. They’ve grown tired of watching overmatched QBs as well. One of the biggest frustrations with Justin Fields during his time in Chicago was his inability to make the routine, high-percentage throws with any sort of consistency. When the Bears drafted Caleb Williams in April, most hoped he could at least do that much.
Three practices into training camp, they’re finding he can indeed do that and so much more. An undercurrent of excitement is brewing among the Bears beat. Prominent names have already spoken about how good Williams looks so far. His mastery of the process is going much faster than anybody expected. Few put it in perspective than Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. He appeared on Mully & Haugh for 670 The Score to discuss Williams and how he looks compared to Fields from last year.
Schrock said it’s not even a comparison.
The ability to make a quick decision and get the ball out fast is what plagued the former Bears quarterback. He rarely attacked smaller throwing windows for fear of throwing interceptions. He also never demonstrated a keen pocket awareness, which is why you saw him retreat from edge pressure rather than trusting his protection by stepping up. That doesn’t appear to be a problem with Williams. He trusts his arm enough to go after those windows and has enough pocket feel to step up to avoid pressure.
For a rookie to show all these signs that Fields couldn’t after three years should tell you a lot. It gives you an idea of how handicapped the Bears were in the passing game. Caleb Williams is a much more natural thrower of the football. He doesn’t make everything look like a chore. Standard throws are routine for him. You don’t even need to think about them being completed. That boosts confidence that he’ll be able to make the tougher ones when the team needs a big conversion on 3rd and long. This is why people are excited.
