Caleb Williams was speculated to be the franchise quarterback the Chicago Bears actually waited 100 years for when staff chosen him with the No. 1 total 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 long term of competition with a high QB prospect becoming a member of a rising, younger staff.
If solely it might have been that easy. Because the hype was reaching a crescendo on the point of a 5-2 begin. the Washington Commanders related on a Hail Mary that ripped Chicago’s collective coronary heart out and doomed their season.
The Bears misplaced their tenth straight sport on Thursday night time throughout one other pathetic displaying towards the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago might 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 staff’s disastrous loss on Thanksgiving. Interim head coach Thomas Brown has been each bit as dangerous, and has continued to spotlight how dysfunctional the Bears are at each degree of the group. Williams is getting caught within the crosshairs.
Williams was mentioned to be beginning his profession in the perfect state of affairs ever for a No. 1 total decide. Quick ahead 17 weeks and that instantly looks as if a comical assertion in hindsight. The Bears’ offensive line is maybe the worst within the NFL, permitting fixed strain 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 state of affairs.
Williams has been sacked 67 occasions, most within the NFL by a mile. The Bears’ line is horrible, however Thursday night time’s disgraceful efficiency once more highlighted that the rookie QB hangs onto the ball too lengthy within the pocket. In keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats Williams averages 2.91 seconds within the pocket per throw, Thirteenth-most within the NFL. Professional Soccer Focus charting information signifies that Williams has been pressured on 193 of his dropbacks, third most within the NFL.
Whereas Williams shares some accountability for these pressures — PFF charting information credit him with some accountability 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 document of being sacked 76 occasions in a season.
Williams has one other drawback that hasn’t been talked about as a lot. He simply can’t hit a deep go this 12 months. He didn’t full a go that traveled greater than six yards within the air on Thursday night time.
Caleb Williams didn’t full a single go past 6 yards downfield till the ultimate drive of regulation within the Bears’ TNF loss to the Seahawks.
Below 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 could have performed a task towards Seattle on Thursday night time, Williams’ lack of ability 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 go.
In keeping with Professional Soccer Focus’ charting information, Williams’ completion share on throws over 20 yards is 26.7 p.c, which ranks twenty third out of 25 certified QBs (outlined as 50% of their staff’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 best way with an YPA of 18.2 on such throws.
Williams can be No. 24 out of 25 certified passers in PFF’s Adjusted Completion Proportion on throws of 20+ air yards.
Right here’s one missed deep ball from late within the fourth quarter towards Seattle. The Seahawks go rush as coming, however it felt like Williams might 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 might have been a contested catch alternative for fellow rookie Rome Odunze.
Thought Caleb was getting ball out fast & effectively in first half. Felt staff let him down a lot. 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 in a position to create some magical moments for Chicago within the loss. He picked up an enormous fourth down conversion to D.J. Moore with Seattle go 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 night time didn’t rely. This unbelievable landing toss was referred to as again for holding.
Williams nonetheless has loads of expertise and may turn into an excellent NFL QB. The subsequent Bears head coach must work on getting rid the ball faster, and likewise discovering a technique 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 longer term hopes of the franchise, however his rookie 12 months has been sobering in additional methods than one.