There was no shortage of critics of Caleb Williams after last season. Despite a somewhat decent stat line, experts couldn't look past the 68 sacks he took, nor how lost he seemed at times. Many feared he didn't have the mental capacity to handle the speed of the NFL level. It would take a miracle to salvage the former #1 pick. Now, after Sunday's latest comeback win, Williams' fourth of the season, those same doubters are left wondering if they might've jumped the gun a little bit.
Among them is former quarterback Dan Orlovsky of ESPN. He was vocal last year about Williams' shortcomings, stating that he didn't have what it takes to function in a professional offense. After watching the Bears quarterback for the past several weeks, he admitted on live television that he owes Williams an apology. His improvement across the board this season is impossible to ignore, especially his work under center. Orlovsky believes there is still work to be done, but the leap Williams has made is massive.
Caleb Williams isn't naive to his situation.
He understands that both he and the offense still aren't operating with enough efficiency. One week, it's too many penalties. The next week, it's too many dropped passes. The fact that they have these constant setbacks and still boast the #3 offense in the NFL should tell you a lot about Caleb Williams' progress. If he can clean up just a few more of his bad tendencies, he'll morph into one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.
This entire situation serves as a vital reminder. Quarterback development is not linear. It takes many different shapes. Yet one fundamental truth remains. It requires time and patience. Some may get off to faster starts than others, but it doesn't mean almost all of them are lost causes. Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones serve as recent examples. Williams is another.
