close
close

Gottagopestcontrol

Trusted News & Timely Insights

Caleb Williams has some highlights to offer in his impressive season debut for the Bears
Colorado

Caleb Williams has some highlights to offer in his impressive season debut for the Bears

Caleb Williams had some highlights in his limited Bears debut. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Caleb Williams hasn’t played much, but he’ll keep Chicago on their toes next week.

Williams, the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, made his first preseason appearance for the Chicago Bears on Saturday afternoon. The Bears didn’t play him often, but he made a few plays that Chicago will repeat before the Bears’ next preseason game. In just one quarter, he showed off his full skills.

On third-and-12 of Chicago’s first drive, Williams threw his first pass. He had plenty of time, threw himself into a throw and, in windy conditions, threw a laser shot to DJ Moore for 12 yards and the first down. Moore was covered pretty well, but Williams hit him anyway. That kept the drive alive.

Then came a trick. Williams was under pressure, so he slid a no-look pass across his body, almost like a point guard in the zone, to D’Andre Swift. Swift ran 42 yards. Although the play looked like a planned block, Williams is known for his ability to improvise and make creative plays when everything around him is falling apart.

Then, on Chicago’s second drive, Williams fired a rocket ball to Cole Kmet. Williams rolled to his right, threw the ball slightly across his body, and it was an absolute fastball to the tight end for a first down. We don’t know what Williams will be as an NFL quarterback, but that throw alone shows that not many players have more arm strength.

Later in the drive, Williams made it and ran for a first down, cleverly sliding in before he could be hit.

And that’s the Williams package. He can use his arm strength and operate from the pocket or on the move. He also has an innate ability to make plays out of practically nothing. He’s also athletic enough to add value with his legs. It’s foolish to make too many promises in a quarter of preseason, but it was also exciting to see Williams flash his talent on an NFL field for the first time.

Williams did not play in last week’s Hall of Fame Game, which was his preseason NFL debut on Saturday. NFL Network decided to broadcast the top pick’s first snaps. Everyone, not just Bears fans, wants to see the former Heisman Trophy winner in an NFL setting. And he delivered some entertaining moments.

It wasn’t perfect. Williams nearly threw an interception pass on Chicago’s second drive when he threw it to a receiver who was fully covered. The pass was intercepted and incomplete, but an illegal contact penalty by the Bills negated that play and gave the Bears a first down. He also had a couple of catchable passes dropped by Kmet and Moore. Williams also threw too far to Rome Odunze in the end zone on a third down, which ended up being Williams’ last play of the game Saturday. The offense isn’t fully functional, and no one expects it to be in the first preseason game.

Importantly, Williams did more than enough to show why he was the first pick in the NFL Draft. Bears fans will be impatiently counting down the days until the regular season, when Williams’ highlights will count.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *