Caleb Williams didn't have a bad rookie season on paper. He started all 17 games, threw for 3500 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Yet circumstances made it seem as if he were a failure. Part of it was the fact that he was the #1 overall pick. That raised expectations to a higher level than usual. He also took an egregious number of sacks (68), leading some to wonder if he can play on time in the NFL. Last but not least, a stacked draft class reshaped the narrative. Jayden Daniels reached the NFC championship. Bo Nix made the playoffs. Drake Maye played more efficiently.
That puts a lot of pressure on Williams to perform this season. Yet one person isn't ready to let the narrative from last year rest. Brian Urlacher played with plenty of quarterbacks in his career; he also played against some of the game's greatest. The Hall of Fame linebacker explained on Johnny Manziel's podcast that Williams likely would've been Rookie of the Year last season had he been in a better situation. Terrible coaching and poor blocking up front made life way too difficult for the young quarterback.
The Bears seemed to agree with Urlacher's assessment of Caleb Williams.
Their offseason reflected it. The first thing they did was overhaul the coaching staff, bringing in Ben Johnson from Detroit. His offensive prowess should be exactly what Caleb Williams needs to make life easier on the field. After that, their first free agency moves were trading for two Pro Bowl guards and signing an ascending center. Coaching? Check. Protection? Check. Then, for good measure, the Bears spent their first three draft picks on offense. First came tight end Colston Loveland, then wide receiver Luther Burden, and finally tackle Ozzy Trapilo. If things come together as planned, Williams will be a far different animal this season. Urlacher has plenty of confidence that will be the case.
