Caleb Williams is learning what it's like to carry an NFL franchise on his shoulder. It isn't easy, nor is it supposed to be. If you want to be the leading man, getting all the attention and money, you better be ready to make the necessary sacrifices. Few understand that better than Peyton Manning. He was the #1 overall pick in 1998 and immediately took over a perennial losing organization. The Indianapolis Colts had been a dumpster fire since the end of the 1970s, and he was the one tasked with changing that.
It didn't take long to learn that talent alone wouldn't solve the problem. Manning had to take on a greater role as a leader. That meant putting out an aura of maturity he probably didn't have at the time. The Hall of Famer discussed this on a recent panel at Fanatics Fest. By far the toughest part of the job was answering questions from the media after bad games. It's the last thing you want to do, but that is a core responsibility of being the face of a football team. Some guys don't know how to handle that. They'd better learn if they want to win.
"Everybody wants to throw four touchdowns and 400 yards and be in a good mood," said Manning. "But when you throw four interceptions like I did -- thanks for bringing that up, by the way -- [in my] rookie year, you better show up and do your interviews and answer the tough questions, right? That's what the quarterback is supposed to do. Because if you're not showing up, now your teammates aren't showing up. And the next thing you know, they're saying, 'Hey, these players aren't very accountable'."
Peyton Manning sent a message to Williams with those comments.
It likely wasn't a direct shot at the Chicago Bears quarterback, but the words hit home. Williams has a reputation for not always handling losses or poor performances well. He refused to meet the media after his final game at USC. He didn't have the best body language during a loss in Houston last season. There were more than a few examples to go through. Head coach Ben Johnson has already spoken to him about the need to adjust his mindset. The last thing this team needs is him openly expressing frustration and dejection during tough moments. That sends a bad message to the locker room, leading to losing habits.
Williams must learn to maintain his composure at all times, even if he's dying inside. Peyton Manning was a maniacal competitor. He was a perfectionist and hated losing. Still, he had a responsibility to project calm during crisis moments. It often helped keep the team from panicking, which led to quick turnarounds. Williams is still in the process of becoming that type of leader.
