Caleb Williams stole the show in his preseason debut for the Chicago Bears. Not only did he make wow plays with his arm, but he also displayed flashes of elite pocket presence and ability to extend plays. Williams went 4-for-7, throwing for 95 yards with a 101.8 passer rating, and added a crucial 13-yard rush for a first down.
The belief that Caleb could be something special was already building, with many comparing him to Patrick Mahomes before the draft. Now, after his first showing in a Bears uniform, it’s clear that expectations are rising even higher—and for good reason.
Every run and throw from Caleb Williams preseason debut pic.twitter.com/mnal0SIXWt
— Dave (@dave_bfr) August 11, 2024
Expectations Are Changing After First Glimpse Of Caleb Williams
The Bears play in a tough division, with the Packers and Lions ready to compete for the Super Bowl and the Vikings with promising talent on offense and defense. This season, the Bears look to prioritize long-term success over immediate results. While the Bears still aim for a playoff spot, the true measure of the 2024 season will be the development of Caleb Williams.
Expectations Then vs. Now
While it’s reasonable for the Bears to focus on development, there’s an elevated set of expectations with a quarterback like Caleb Williams. It’s hard not to draw parallels to the Houston Texans’ success with C.J. Stroud last season. Here are some of the accomplishments Stroud had as a rookie last season in Houston:
- Fifth rookie in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Most rookie passing yards in a game (470)
Stroud achieved remarkable things as a rookie, and while those accomplishments are difficult to duplicate, Chicago has built a foundation that gives Williams a similar opportunity. The Bears’ offense is stacked with talent, with additions like D’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Gerald Everett to accompany D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet. Williams compared it to ‘being like a kid in a candy store,’ having a plethora of options at his disposal.
Typically, a No. 1 overall pick enters a situation with low expectations in their first year. But it’s different for Williams and the Bears, who have the potential to make some noise in the NFC. While there will be a learning curve for the rookie, seeing the Bears reach the playoffs in Williams’ debut season wouldn’t be surprising either.
What Lies Ahead for Caleb Williams
Expect Caleb Williams to be great. When the lights shine the brightest, expect Williams to deliver and make those wow-type plays. It’s not wrong to expect a lot from someone with all the innate tools to become one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. The real challenge will be how he handles the adversity. So far, Williams has shown he has what it takes to handle adversity and find success in the league.
It’s been one preseason game, and Williams has already raised expectations. While it’s only preseason, he hardly made any mistakes and showed his confidence and swagger on the field.
“To get out there and have the confidence that we had out there, it’s only going to get better and we can’t wait”
It was the perfect response from Caleb, and after his debut, it’s hard not to smile and feel optimistic for what’s to come.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
