Why Analysts Are Buzzing Over Caleb Williams' Rams Performance

Caleb Williams had a rather pedestrian day for the Chicago Bears last Sunday, at least on the stat sheet. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Most would call it a perfect game manager performance. He protected the ball, kept the chains moving, and let the running game do the work. Was it boring? Sure. It was also effective. Yet that isn't what has the film study community buzzing. They expected to see a young quarterback throwing a bunch of short passes to avoid constant pressure.

What they got instead was a window into how fast Williams is developing. A consistent theme has emerged over the past couple of days as experts dig into his tape. Guys are left shocked at how advanced the rookie has already become at passing from the pocket and making pre-snap adjustments. These are things you expect from a guy who has played for two or three years, not somebody in his fourth-ever game. The number of video clips to back this up is extensive.

Caleb Williams is determined to play the right way.

In case people haven't noticed, the #1 overall pick is not utilizing what was considered his greatest weapon coming out of USC. His mobility and instincts for making plays outside the pocket were his superpower. That is why he drew comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. Yet through the first month, Williams has made a concerted effort to stay in the pocket. He wants to learn how to play from there, knowing it is often what separates great quarterbacks from everybody else. Using his mobility too often can result in it becoming a crutch.

That isn't what Caleb Williams wants. He aims to become a complete quarterback. That means making a concerted effort to hang in the pocket. The first couple of weeks were rough. He still hadn't quite mastered the footwork and wasn't helped by his protection. However, he started showing signs of getting it in the second half against Indianapolis in week three. Last Sunday was another big step forward in that progress. Williams has already grasped how to make quick throws and use his check-downs. The only thing left is the big plays.

It feels like those are coming.