Dan Wiederer joins Football Night in Chicago to discuss the Bears’ lack of a veteran presence in the quarterback room.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams has rebutted claims that he has “never experienced adversity,” refuting ESPN analyst Greg McElroy’s concerns about his internal motivation to become an elite NFL quarterback.
McElroy, speaking on the “This is Football” podcast, questioned whether Williams possesses the necessary drive and resilience for long-term success in the NFL, suggesting a potential sense of entitlement. Williams responded by highlighting various challenges he has faced in his football career, including earning the starting quarterback role late into his freshman season at Oklahoma, a hamstring injury during USC’s 2023 Pac-12 Championship loss, and USC’s mediocre 7-5 season in 2024.
Contrary to McElroy’s assessment, individuals close to Williams, including Bears general manager Ryan Poles, have emphasized his ability to handle adversity. Poles noted the importance of quarterbacks facing difficulties and learning from them to improve their performance under pressure. Williams’ high school coach, Randy Trivers, echoed this sentiment, recalling instances where Williams demonstrated composure and resilience in challenging situations, such as leading his team to victory in a remarkable game despite facing setbacks like a third and 33 situation and a potential game-winning touchdown being ruled out of bounds.
Trivers emphasized that adversity is subjective, and what truly matters is a player’s ability to navigate tough circumstances and emerge as a leader. Poles shares this belief, expressing confidence in Williams’ capacity to overcome challenges and succeed as a leader on the field.
