Williams talks eye discipline, growth as QB ahead of Cowboys matchup

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 5 hours ago

CHICAGO - Coming into this season, there was a lot of talk about all of the talented players quarterback Caleb Williams had to throw the ball to. However, through the first two games, not everyone is getting involved in the passing game.

Wide receiver Rome Odunze has gotten most of the targets; in fact, nearly a third of Williams’ attempts have gone in Odunze’s direction. Receiver D.J. Moore is second in receptions with eight catches for 114 yards. Newcomer Olamide Zaccheaus has also been getting some looks and has actually been targeted more than Moore.

Despite getting the wide receivers involved in the passing game, Williams has barely thrown the ball to his tight ends - Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. Between Kmet and Loveland, they have combined for five receptions for 72 yards.

While head coach Ben Johnson conceded that he needs to call the plays to allow the ball to get to the tight ends more effectively, Williams also said he needs to be better at recognizing situations where it would be optimal to get the ball to the tight ends.

“Part of that is there was just a few situations that come to mind that even in those long down and distances that we had throughout that last game, we had a couple second and super longs and so being able to get them the ball as fast as possible, let them catch (and) get maybe 12, maybe more if they bounce off a few tackles,” Williams said. “But, that’s a part of playing QB. That’s a part of the game and (it’s) him, but also, it’s me when I’m out there on the field of being able to drop back, see the coverage and just maybe pop the ball down to one of those guys even if it’s those situations where we’re trying to fight back and get back into the game. It’s just one play at a time and how you come back in games is taking it one play at a time.”

Williams will be in a bit of an awkward situation on Sun. Sept. 21, when the Chicago Bears take on the Dallas Cowboys (3:25 p.m. / FOX). Chicago’s previous head coach and Williams’ first head coach as an NFL quarterback, Matt Eberflus, is now the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

This could give the Cowboys an advantage since Eberflus is familiar with Williams’ tendencies and areas he needs to improve, including keeping his eyes in the right place on plays.

The need to improve his eye discipline is something Williams has discussed with Johnson, although this is still an area that needs improvement.

“It’s something that we talk about. It’s a part of progressing in football and growing (and) growing (and) growing more in this league … Obviously, you see guys like (Los Angeles Rams quarterback) Matthew (Stafford) that’s done it for however many years he’s done it, being able to just know where people are and being able to either keep them where they are to be able to deliver the ball or move them and be able to deliver the ball behind them and so, there was a few times last game that that happened. The first game actually, we were practicing those things. I end up missing those two passes,” Williams said. “But other than that, it’s just something and little nuggets that Ben gives me throughout the week whether it’s the concept or just that singular play, it’s something that we talk about and discuss throughout the week and using my eyes and being able to move wherever I want and move the defenders wherever I want.”