NFL insider gives glowing review of Caleb Williams at Bears camp

Caleb Williams did not always look comfortable during his first training camp with Ben Johnson. One year later, that appears to have changed.

Sports Illustrated senior NFL reporter Albert Breer visited Chicago Bears practice Sunday and noticed a quarterback who looked far more at ease in Johnson’s offense.

“Everything looks much easier for him,” Breer said. “Everything looks more natural. Everything looks like he’s just going out and playing.”

That assessment is significant. Breer has visited 15 training camps this summer, giving him a chance to compare Williams with quarterbacks across the league rather than judge him in a Chicago bubble.

What he saw from Williams was not just a few pretty throws in August. Breer noticed a player who finally looked comfortable doing his job.

Bears made life difficult for Caleb Williams

Williams had some rough moments in training camp last year. There were days when backup Tyson Bagent appeared more settled in the offense, which naturally sent portions of the fan base into a completely reasonable preseason panic.

Breer explained that Johnson was deliberately making things difficult. Instead of easing Williams into the offense, he unloaded the playbook on him. The Bears wanted to learn what Williams could process, where he struggled and which concepts could eventually be added.

It was not always pretty. It was never supposed to be.

That work produced results once the games counted. Chicago finished 11-6 and won the NFC North. Williams then threw for 361 yards as the Bears erased an 18-point deficit against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.

Chicago’s season ended one week later with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Still, Williams entered the offseason knowing Johnson’s demanding approach had worked.

He is no longer being asked to trust the process without evidence. He lived through it and came out with a division title and Chicago’s first playoff victory since the 2010 season.

Caleb Williams looks more comfortable

The Bears have reportedly noticed more professionalism and focus from Williams this summer. Breer also pointed to the joy with which the quarterback is leading the team.

That may be the biggest difference. Williams spent last summer trying to keep his head above water. Now he understands the language, timing and expectations of the offense. He can play instead of pausing to solve a small algebra problem before every snap.

Chicago can also add concepts that Williams was not ready to handle consistently last season. Rome Odunze has another year of experience, Colston Loveland could be headed for a breakout and Luther Burden III impressed throughout camp before suffering a groin injury.

Williams still has work to do. His 58.1% completion rate last season left plenty of easy yards unused. Too many drives required him to create something after the original play broke down.

Nobody has ever questioned whether Williams can make the spectacular play. Breer’s camp visit suggests the routine ones are finally beginning to look routine.

That is where a gifted quarterback becomes a dangerous one.

| More Bears News and Rumors |

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow