From 0-2 to Momentum: Caleb Williams’ growth leading Bears into bye week

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 3 hours ago

CHICAGO - Quarterback Caleb Williams was drafted to be the franchise quarterback Chicago has been looking for.

Head coach Ben Johnson was brought in to develop Williams and help him become that player.

Although the season is young, there are already signs that Williams is trending in the right direction. Going into the bye week, Chicago has a 2-2 record, which is quite remarkable after starting out 0-2. The Bears followed those losses with a dominant win against the Dallas Cowboys and a gritty win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Cumulatively, Williams said these games give Chicago confidence going through the rest of the season.

“I think the first four games builds confidence and I understand the first two were (losses). But, us understanding how close we were to a win. Obviously, the second game, the score looks different than obviously what we think and feel of actually going back and watching the tape,” Williams said. “But, I think the first four games and these last two that we’ve had - (our) first home win and our first away win. So, I think it builds a lot of momentum and confidence. But, we also (got) to go look at everything and be truthful for ourselves. The coaches are going to do the same for us. We have one-on-one meetings and things like that, find ways to get better for the team and things like that.”

As a rookie, Williams had some moments where he led the Bears down the field when they needed it. Sometimes these efforts did not pay off as Chicago seemed to find a way to lose in a lot of games last season. However, the Bears’ win against the Raiders showed things are changing and Chicago can come out of these games with a win.

It also helps that Williams thrives in pressure situations, as that is where he is most comfortable.

“I think it’s just the confidence I’ve had in myself through the hard work that I put into myself, in my work and my craft and I think it’s just grown over the years. It started when I was younger I would say. I think those moments, you go through a whole game and there’s not many things that team is going to show you differently in those moments. At least I do, I feel more comfortable in those moments. But, I think my heart rate drops. I think everything kind of settles in,” Williams said. “It’s got to have it moments and I think I’ve done a good job with that over my career and those got to have it moments and I think it comes from the hard work throughout the week, the belief in the teammates and things like that.”

In week three against the Cowboys, Williams finally went a full 60 minutes without getting sacked. The Bears will hope that this happens more throughout the season and Williams’ career. However, it would help if there was some continuity on the offensive line. That is not happening right now.

In the first week of the season, Chicago had the following players on the offensive line: left tackle Braxton Jones, left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman, right guard Jonah Jackson, and right tackle Darnell Wright. By the end of the Raiders game, Jones and Wright were not in the game.

Wright was unable to play due to injury, and Theo Benedet filled in for him. However, Benedet was moved to the left, and rookie Ozzy Trapilo finished the game on the right. Perhaps this is a combination the Bears will utilize more frequently throughout the season. But that remains to be seen. Benedet has made a lot of progress, which could cause the left tackle battle to come back.

Williams has also seen this progressing and is proud of Benedet’s attitude.

“It’s been fun being around Theo … His personality, it’s great. Awesome human outside of football and then when you get on the football field, always willing to learn,” Williams said. “I think he’s grown tremendously and I think as a development of his body but also mentally about football, he’s grown tremendously. So, kudos to him and having that mindset of ‘I’m going to keep growing. I’m not in a position I want to be in and when my opportunity comes, that’s when I’ll shine.’”