QB Expert Feels Caleb Williams Was Actually Sabotaged At USC

Caleb Williams is the heavy favorite to be the first quarterback off the board in the 2024 NFL draft this spring. The Chicago Bears hold the #1 pick. It feels like they are ready to move on from Justin Fields. Almost everybody thinks Williams is the guy. However, some are reluctant to buy in. After a stellar sophomore season in 2022, the young QB went through some struggles last season, especially in the second half. Some have started to wonder if an excellent supporting cast and a proven offensive system propped him up.

One prominent expert believes it is actually the opposite. Derrik Klassen is a scout for Bleacher Report and The 33rd Team. His primary area of expertise has been quarterbacks. He correctly projected C.J. Stroud should've been the first QB off the board last year over Bryce Young. He also warned everybody that Mitch Trubisky was a mistake back in 2017. So the guy knows his stuff. That is why it was interesting when he reached a realization during his deep dive into Williams' tape from the 2023 season.

The offensive scheme didn't mask him. If anything, it actively tried to sabotage him.

Caleb Williams was forced to play the hero.

One of the persistent criticisms of his style is a tendency to hold the ball and put on the Superman cape, trying to make something out of nothing. He did that a lot in 2023. As it turns out, much of that was out of necessity. The scheming by head coach Lincoln Riley wasn't working as often as it had in the past. Some speculate it might've been because he didn't trust the offensive line, which experts believe was the worst he's ever had as a head coach. That led to a lack of creativity, putting a greater burden on Williams to do everything himself.

The fact he still managed to throw for 3600 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only five interceptions speaks to his ability. Good quarterbacks find a way to overcome deficiencies around them, be they coaching or personnel. Caleb Williams appeared to do that. Perhaps that will be a big point in his favor as the Bears continue their evaluations of the quarterbacks in this class. If they reach the same conclusion and Williams does well in interviews, the decision to draft him will likely become a formality.