The Chicago Bears opted to forgo a potentially pointless quarterback competition, naming first overall draft pick Caleb Williams their starter ahead of rookie minicamp.
On Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated discussed the team’s reasoning behind this decision.
“Williams’ creativity as a football player provides him with an escape route to correct himself even when he makes mistakes,” Breer explained. “In situations where he might not see things quickly enough or the play becomes chaotic, he can create scramble situations to shorten his learning curve.”
It’s widely believed that the Bears had decided to draft Williams first overall when they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. However, former quarterback and current NFL analyst Ryan Leaf suggested before the draft that the Bears should consider having Williams sit and develop as a backup this fall. Others considered LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the top quarterback in this year’s draft class.
The Bears evidently disagreed with these opinions.
Last month, Williams responded to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy’s comment that Williams “never experienced adversity” as a top-tier prospect. Breer also commented on Williams’ 2023 season on Monday.
“Last year, everything around him at USC fell apart,” Breer said. “The offensive line was a mess, the receivers inexperienced, the run game inconsistent, and the defense a disaster—and he still managed. It’s not the same as adjusting to the NFL, but it should help.”
Breer also noted that Chicago is not in a complete rebuild. Head coach Matt Eberflus, in charge since January 2022, has a roster that might only need solid quarterback play to compete for a playoff spot. The offensive line and running backs D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Khalil Herbert should ease the rookie quarterback’s transition.
“For the most part, the Bears feel they’re set up to give Williams a great chance to excel right away,” Breer added.
As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams as the favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award at +175 odds. If he claims that honor, Chicago could make significant progress in the next postseason.
