Check-in on Chicago-Caleb Honeymoon
Troubles in OTAs defined as "growing pains"
Time for a check-in on the Chicago Bears-Caleb Williams’ marriage after one week of OTA’s, still in the honeymoon stage, right?
Per Dan Wiederer of the ChiTrib:
Headline: Dissecting QB Caleb Williams’ struggles and the defense’s ‘salty’ approach
Bold-letter emphasis: It’s May. It’s the first week of OTAs. The Bears are installing a new offense for a rookie quarterback who is going through his first true week of practices against NFL competition. That’s the frame that must remain squarely around the QB conversation for the next several weeks.
That said, it was a bumpy day for Williams and the Bears offense with obvious struggles during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Williams, quite frankly, looked every bit like a green quarterback still adapting to the tempo of the pro game while also trying to process what he was seeing and make decisions within the Bears system.
“It’s frustrating,” veteran receiver DJ Moore said. “But we also know we’re learning a new system.”
For Williams, there were errant throws, late throws, late throws and throws that were never made as he occasionally held on to the ball too long, particularly during successive 11-on-11 periods in or near the red zone.
To be clear, that all comes with the territory of developing a rookie quarterback. And it’s a reminder that the Bears can’t just fast-forward through all the inevitable growing pains and shaky practices Williams is likely to endure early in his career.
“This is his first time going against a pro defense, and a pretty good one,” coach Matt Eberflus said. “It’s going to be a learning (experience) for everybody.”
You betchya.
We will revisit this honeymoon. Meantime, FWIW, here is how we looked at this marriage going into the, ah, romance: