While the talent has always been undeniable, Caleb Williams has often been a polarizing figure. Opposing fans know there's not much to go at him football-wise, so they attack his demeanor and personality instead.
Trolls and talking heads often jump at the first opportunity to ridicule or question him. That was the case when he suffered the hamstring strain that forced him to miss time for the first time in his NFL career.
That's also why, with the Bears now winning games with three different quarterbacks this season, it'll be hard to push back on the lazy narrative floating on social media. But as much as the haters may want to make people think that, there's no way the Bears are a better team without Caleb Williams. They're not even as good.
The Chicago Bears still need Caleb Williams
Yes, the Bears beat the New York Jets, but it was hardly on Tyson Bagent. He could've had four interceptions, and it took a Kyle Monangai masterpiece to keep the offense ahead of the sticks from start to finish.
As for Case Keenum, that, admittedly, was a veteran quarterback masterpiece. His pre-snap operation, cadence, and ball-placement were all on point, but c'mon, how sustainable would that be over a full 17-game regular season?
Yes, the Bears' offense is incredible, and that's not solely on the quarterback. Ben Johnson is a mad scientist, and he deserves every amount of praise coming his way for the way he's revolutionized this offense.
That said, much of what they do also involves Williams. He single-handedly put the team on his back multiple times last season, including that epic comeback against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.
The Bears have never had an elite quarterback or a 4,000-yard passer, and Williams has arrived to change that. He's one of the most talented passers in recent NFL history, and while he's still a work in progress, there's no reason to doubt he'll get it together.
Some talk about his accuracy, and others question his decision-making. That's valid to a degree, but they conveniently ignore that his rookie season was essentially a waste under Matt Eberflus and that he's just learning the ropes of the position.
So, yes, the Bears have won games with three quarterbacks, but that's less an indictment of him than a testament to the team they've put together. Williams was the No. 1 pick for a reason, and he'd be a starter for at least two-thirds of the teams in the league right now.
Sooner or later, everyone else will realize it.
| More Bears on DaWindyCity |
Add us as a preferred source on Google