The Chicago Bears lack a rich franchise history at the quarterback position, with Jay Cutler holding nearly every record of note. However, looking at the current accomplishments and path ahead for Caleb Williams, there is a number that jumps out. Among qualified quarterbacks who started a full season or more, there isn't one who has a lower interception percentage than Williams. The signal caller has thrown a pick on 1.2% of his throws despite often being leaned on throughout the first two years of his career.
In comparison, Chicago's all-time leading passers, Cutler and Sid Luckman, had interception percentages of 3.3% and 7.6% in their respective careers. The level at which Williams is protecting the football is elite beyond even the team's top accomplished starters. Considering that this was accomplished playing in two different offensive systems in the first two years of the quarterback's career, the number jump off the page even more.
Protecting the football at such an elite level takes a lot of pressure off the defense of Dennis Allen and points to an undeniably bright future. Williams doesn't throw interceptions at the rate of not only the team's past quarterbacks, but a lower rate than Patrick Mahomes, who is currently sitting at 1.8% of his passes being intercepted.
Elite Ball Protection from Caleb Williams Continues to Point to Exciting Bears Future
Mahomes is considered by far the league's most accomplished quarterback; Williams being above the Kansas City legend in any category is telling. It is indicative of a great start to a career that is going to be based around an elite clutch ability and, above all else, protecting the football.
What makes Williams so exciting is the fact that he is accomplishing this while still pushing the deep ball at a consistent level. This isn't due to taking checkdowns and simply playing it safe within Ben Johnson's offense. The quarterback isn't afraid of tight windows and attacks the opposing defense down the field, no matter the challenge he is facing.
This makes it clear that the interception percentage has staying power and points to a quarterback with obvious elite potential. For the Bears, if there is any worry about Williams, it is whether or not the quarterback has the needed level of confidence, and pushing the quarterback to put the ball in harm's way a bit more often.
While this could be viewed as counterproductive, it is indicative of a singal caller more than capable of making any NFL-level throw. The talent is undeniable, and the great start continues to bolster expectations for the exciting seasons ahead.
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