NFC Exec Has Lofty Prediction For Caleb Williams' Rookie Year

Caleb Williams is the latest in a long line of #1 overall quarterbacks to enter the NFL. So it shouldn't be a surprise the expectations for him are high, even as a rookie. That said, everybody knows his situation. The Chicago Bears have a less-than-stellar track record for developing quarterbacks. One only has to look at their single-season records for a reminder. Mitch Trubisky holds the yardage mark with 2,197, and Charlie O'Rourke still holds the touchdowns total of 11. It is not exactly challenging benchmarks to clear.

The only way Williams doesn't claim both of those crowns is if he doesn't play a full season due to injuries. However, those aren't the marks people are focused on. They want to know how high Williams can go this season. Fans are hopeful. Then again, optimism is rampant this time of year. Insider Matt Lombardo decided to reach out to people around the league to get their thoughts on how the rookie will do. It may surprise people to learn their expectations are just as lofty.

“Caleb should be really good as a rookie,” an NFC Executive told me, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about a player on another team. “He can make plays when the offensive line breaks down. The biggest question and only real worry is will the offensive line hold up in front of him.”

Beyond the supporting cast, beyond the infrastructure around Williams, he can make the players around him better, he processes information quickly, and has the accuracy to make any throw from the pocket. Poles and the Bears couldn’t have played the past two drafts better.

Williams is one of the more heralded quarterback prospects in recent seasons, and justifiably has the Bears positioned to make a legitimate worst-to-the-postseason run in 2024.

It isn’t about pushing for an MVP award or leading the league in passing for Williams as a rookie, but, there’s no reason given the pieces around him that the former Heisman Trophy winner can’t make a run at 4,000 passing yards, over 30 touchdowns and fewer than 12 interceptions.

Caleb Williams has plenty of help around him.

That is the crucial difference between him and previous Bears 1st round quarterbacks. Trubisky, Justin Fields, Rex Grossman, and Cade McNown all inherited mostly average receiving corps. There might be a solid #1 option, but it got thin fast after that. That won't be the case this time. You could make a serious case that Williams has three Pro Bowl-caliber targets to throw to. They are D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet. After that, you get 9th overall pick Rome Odunze and versatile running back D'Andre Swift. Don't forget underrated tight end Gerald Everett as well.

This offense has talent and depth. Caleb Williams will have tons of options. When you give that to a quarterback, good things almost always happen. He played with only one 1st round-caliber receiver in his college career. That was the year he won the Heisman trophy. It is easy to understand why people are encouraged about his chances this season. Still, as the saying goes, you have to play the games. How things play out rests on his ability to learn the speed of the NFL level.