Caleb Williams was imagined to be the franchise quarterback the Chicago Bears actually waited 100 years for when crew chosen him with the No. 1 general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams’ mere arrival in Chicago was miraculous by itself: the decide was acquired through a commerce with the Carolina Panthers a 12 months earlier, and appeared to arrange Chicago for a future of rivalry with a prime QB prospect becoming a member of a rising, younger crew.
If solely it may have been that easy. Because the hype was reaching a crescendo on the point of a 5-2 begin. the Washington Commanders linked on a Hail Mary that ripped Chicago’s collective coronary heart out and doomed their season.
The Bears misplaced their tenth straight recreation on Thursday evening throughout one other pathetic displaying towards the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago may solely muster a single subject purpose within the 6-3 loss, once more displaying an anemic offensive assault.
The Bears can’t pin all their issues on former head coach Matt Eberflus anymore after he was fired following the crew’s disastrous loss on Thanksgiving. Interim head coach Thomas Brown has been each bit as dangerous, and has continued to focus on how dysfunctional the Bears are at each stage of the group. Williams is getting caught within the crosshairs.
Williams was stated to be beginning his profession in one of the best scenario ever for a No. 1 general decide. Quick ahead 17 weeks and that immediately looks as if a comical assertion in hindsight. The Bears’ offensive line is maybe the worst within the NFL, permitting fixed stress and hits on their star rookie. The highly-touted vast receiver core has been a giant disappointment, too. Williams shouldn’t escape blame himself regardless of being put in what looks like an unwinnable scenario.
Williams has been sacked 67 instances, most within the NFL by a mile. The Bears’ line is horrible, however Thursday evening’s disgraceful efficiency once more highlighted that the rookie QB hangs onto the ball too lengthy within the pocket. In response to Subsequent Gen Stats Williams averages 2.91 seconds within the pocket per throw, Thirteenth-most within the NFL. Professional Soccer Focus charting knowledge signifies that Williams has been pressured on 193 of his dropbacks, third most within the NFL.
Whereas Williams shares some duty for these pressures — PFF charting knowledge credit him with some duty on 19.2% of these pressures, seventh-most amongst certified passers — the rookie is dealing with critical warmth within the pocket. With two video games left, Williams is near breaking David Carr’s NFL file of being sacked 76 instances in a season.
Williams has one other drawback that hasn’t been talked about as a lot. He simply can’t hit a deep move this 12 months. He didn’t full a move that traveled greater than six yards within the air on Thursday evening.
Caleb Williams didn’t full a single move past 6 yards downfield till the ultimate drive of regulation within the Bears’ TNF loss to the Seahawks.
Beneath 10 AY: 15/17, 107 yards (+4.5% CPOE)
Over 10 AY: 1/9, 15 yards, INT (-27.2% CPOE)#SEAvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/4pr4JU2jsm— Subsequent Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 27, 2024
Whereas climate might have performed a task towards Seattle on Thursday evening, Williams’ incapacity to attach on a deep ball has been a difficulty all season. He’s one of many NFL’s least correct downfield passers, and that’s when he even makes an attempt a deep move.
In response to Professional Soccer Focus’ charting knowledge, Williams’ completion proportion on throws over 20 yards is 26.7 p.c, which ranks twenty third out of 25 certified QBs (outlined as 50% of their crew’s throws). His Yards per Try of 8.1 on these throws is twenty fifth out of 25 certified QBs. Minnesota’s Sam Darnold leads the way in which with an YPA of 18.2 on such throws.
Williams can be No. 24 out of 25 certified passers in PFF’s Adjusted Completion Share on throws of 20+ air yards.
Right here’s one missed deep ball from late within the fourth quarter towards Seattle. The Seahawks move rush as coming, but it surely felt like Williams may have stepped up within the pocket to ship a strike downfield. As a substitute, he was by no means on platform and air-mailed what may have been a contested catch alternative for fellow rookie Rome Odunze.
Thought Caleb was getting ball out fast & properly in first half. Felt crew let him down loads. The ideas usually aren’t good. Few misses. Few of sacks on him not most. However this was the egregious one & it’s simply taking eyes off play bc of blitz, then not resetting & spotlight ball pic.twitter.com/a00q6u01XL
— B (@BShulkes) December 27, 2024
Williams was nonetheless capable of create some magical moments for Chicago within the loss. He picked up an enormous fourth down conversion to D.J. Moore with Seattle move rushers coming for him late within the fourth quarter. He additionally accomplished a Third-and-15 to Odunze later within the drive.
Williams’ finest throw of the evening didn’t rely. This unbelievable landing toss was known as again for holding.
Williams nonetheless has loads of expertise and may turn into an excellent NFL QB. The following Bears head coach must work on getting rid the ball faster, and likewise discovering a solution to join on some deep passes.
This has been a nightmare season for the Bears in each sense of the phrase. Williams nonetheless shoulders the long run hopes of the franchise, however his rookie 12 months has been sobering in additional methods than one.
