Chicago Bears fans have no real context with which to view Caleb Williams. Most haven't seen anything resembling good quarterback play in decades. There have been only fleeting instances, such as Trubisky in 2018, McCown in 2013, Cutler in 2011, and Kramer in 1995. Otherwise, it's been one long parade of sadness. That is probably why the reactions to Caleb Williams are somewhat muted. While fans appreciate the progress he's made since last year, they aren't committing fully as they have in the past. Perhaps that is because they've been burned so many times.
Still, Williams' accomplishments are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. He already holds the team's rookie passing records for yards, touchdowns, completions, and passer rating. If that weren't enough, he also reached fourth all-time with a streak of 356 passes without an interception. Now the Bears quarterback is doing unseen stuff again. The win over the Washington Commanders saw another streak broken as he became the first Chicago quarterback to ever throw for at least 200 yards and one touchdown in the first five games of a season.
Caleb Williams is taking the Bears down a new path.
He isn't among the elite of the NFL. Nobody would dare make that assumption. However, it looks like the 24-year-old has introduced something new to the Bears: competency. Caleb Williams is playing the position far smarter than he did last year. He protects the football so well, but does it in a way that he's not sacrificing the offense's explosive potential. Williams still takes his shots when available. He just does a good job of keeping the ball out of harm's way. It is a big reason why the team is suddenly 10th in scoring this season. It hasn't always been pretty, but Williams is putting points on the board. He is finding ways to win football games. A Bears quarterback is doing all of this.
This isn't another guy who is getting carried by a good team around him like McMahon, Grossman, or Orton. He is often the one putting the team on his back in crucial moments. This is what Chicago has waited for.
