The Chicago Bears drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 National Football League Draft. Bears fans were hopeful he would hit the ground running, similar to what CJ Stroud did last season. Thus far, things have not gone as planned.
Williams has struggled mightily through two games, completing just 56 percent of his passes. He is without a touchdown pass, has thrown two interceptions, and has been sacked nine times already.
On Wednesday, his college coach and mentor, Lincoln Riley, offered some advice while on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd.
“I think you got to go back to the basics,” Riley said. “And I think a lot of times the answers that you're looking for, you know, as a player, are right there. And sometimes when you... get into competitive situations, especially a new league, a new offense, new coaches around you, new supporting cast, there's going to be some growing things, right?”
The Bears are 1-1 and sit just a game back of the surprising Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC North. But that is in no way thanks to Chicago's offense.
The Bears are averaging just 176.5 yards per game on offense. Only the Carolina Panthers are worse. But the 99 passing yards per game do indeed rank dead last in the league.
Williams was expected to be the savior in Chicago. After all, the franchise is synonymous with never having an elite quarterback. Only three times since 1951 have the Bears had a Pro Bowl quarterback: Billy Wade (1963), Jim McMahon (1985) and Mitchell Trubisky (2018).
But this season is still young, and there is plenty of time for growth, as Riley alluded to.
“He's going to continue to learn and grow. And as painful as some of these... tough moments have been... those are all opportunities to learn and grow. He's going to become the player that we all know he can be in that league."
Bears fans undoubtedly hope and pray that Riley's assessments are proven true.
Williams' next chance to improve will come Sunday at Indianapolis against a struggling Colts defense.
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