Justin Fields did everything he could to live up to the Chicago Bears' expectations as a franchise quarterback. He worked hard. He played with toughness, grit, and determination. Nobody could ever dispute he gave 100%. Still, things didn't work out as hoped. He never quite mastered becoming a pocket passer in the NFL, being forced to rely too much on his natural running ability. This was one of the primary reasons Chicago traded him and selected Caleb Williams #1 overall in the 2024 draft.
It's been a few months since the change was made. People inside Halas Hall have noticed obvious differences. Williams seems to have a more natural affinity for throwing with timing and anticipation. His competitive streak has even caught some of them by surprise. However, according to NFL Notifications, who have proven to have solid info on the team in the past, some are noticing another big difference. It appears Williams has far better control of his emotions on a day-to-day basis.
“When Justin was in the building, you didn't know if he was going to be high or low. Sometimes happy, some days he seemed miserable. With Caleb, every day, it's good morning with a smile. That's what I noticed.”
Caleb Williams seems to have emotional maturity.
Tyler Dunne of Go Long reported a month ago that there were reservations about Fields from the moment he arrived in 2021. While his talent was obvious, some in the building questioned his maturity because of how he handled interactions with teammates. That was specifically true with fellow quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Nick Foles. Though the two veterans tried to mentor him, Fields wanted nothing to do with them. He also didn't seem to handle the rough bouts of losing. When things went bad, they always went really bad. Fields never seemed to have the charisma needed to rally the troops.
If the quote above is accurate, Caleb Williams has no such issue. There are already signs of it caught on camera.
Connecting with people is job #1 of a professional quarterback. Williams must be the leader in that huddle. Everybody looks to him first. Guys must know they can count on him to have their backs when things get tough. Keeping a calm mind and a positive attitude are critical. The Bears rookie may not have the clout in that locker room yet, but he clearly has their attention.
