Chicago Bears fans all over the world held their collective breath when Caleb Williams fell with an injury in Week 2. Late in the game, the former No. 1 pick had to be carted off the field in clear discomfort, and fans immediately feared the worst.
Fortunately, and thanks to all the football gods, it was just a hamstring injury. He'll likely miss Monday Night Football vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, but he should be back in no time. Even if they err on the side of caution, he won't miss the season.
While Williams drew some mockery for that, especially when compared to Jaxson Dart, who walked off the field despite suffering a season-ending knee injury, this actually proved that the Bears have done everything right with their franchise quarterback.
There's no precaution big enough for Caleb Williams
After watching him take beating after beating and run for his life on every dropback as a rookie, the Bears did right by their prized quarterback. They revamped the coaching staff with a head coach who could actually develop him, and they gave him a rebuilt offensive line.
More than that, the Bears have emphasized making his life easier. While he's more than capable of going off-script and making something happen, Ben Johnson and the Bears actually want the opposite. They want him to be safe and sound, and not to take unnecessary hits or risks.
That's the opposite of what Dart and the Giants have done in his two years in the league. Not only have they failed to protect him from himself by enabling and encouraging his tough-guy gimmick, but they also haven't done a great job of strengthening the offensive line around him.
Dart has been unapologetic about his aggressive (try reckless) playing style, and he often gets praised for that. Williams is a dual-threat guy who can make something happen with his legs on every play, but the Bears don't want him to be that guy. That's a big difference.
Even if the Bears couldn't win in Week 2, and even though they might lose without Williams in Week 3, they still have the whole season to get things right with their franchise quarterback. The Giants, on the other hand, are facing the predictable and avoidable consequences of their actions and their approach with their young quarterback
But hey, at least he walked off the field and looked tough as hell, 'cause that's what big boy football players do, am I right?
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