Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carries the hope of his franchise on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, who could have Lamar Jackson returning after several weeks missed with a hamstring injury.
Luckily for Jackson, and unfortunately for the Bears, there are several injuries in Chicago's secondary. Both cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) and nickleback Kyler Gordon (groin/calf) have been ruled out against the Ravens.
That means Williams has a shootout on the gridiron against Jackson coming. And he has less ammo without left tackle Braxton Jones, tight end Cole Kmet, and running back Roschon Johnson, who've all also been ruled out. RB D'Andre Swift is questionable. Missing Swift would put a ton of pressure on Williams to look downfield.
With Rome Odunze maturing into the exact kind of deep threat he was drafted to be in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, with DJ Moore, the Bears have a nice 1-2 duo. Moore badly needs a comeback, with many wondering if a trade is the only solution to his early-season woes.
This is the kind of moment sports are made for. Williams could be the hero Moore needs, and Chicago needs, as the Bears look to notch their fifth win in a row and announce their presence in the NFC North. Against the Ravens secondary, even with missing some offensive pieces, Williams has a chance to make a major personal statement, too.
Caleb Williams Behind Several Fellow 2024 NFL Draft QBs
Williams doesn't have the worst fate of any 2024 first-round NFL QB so far. Undoubtedly, that dubious distinction goes to J.J. McCarthy, who still hasn't gotten a chance to show the Minnesota Vikings much. McCarthy has played just two games, one coincidentally against the Bears, but is either injured again or doesn't have Kevin O'Connell's trust enough to start over Carson Wentz.
He definitely doesn't have the best, though. Jayden Daniels lapped the class by willing the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship in his first season. Bo Nix also made the playoffs with the Denver Broncos in his first go-round. Most would put the New England Patriots' Drake Maye over Williams at this point.
Williams has plenty to answer for and to. But the former No. 1 overall pick still has plenty of time to show why he was the consensus franchise player in his draft class.
He can start in emphatic fashion with the world watching to see if Jackson can revive the Ravens on Sunday.