As a quarterback and the No. 1 overall pick, evaluating a successful rookie season involves multiple layers, often centered around the player’s developmental progress and impact on the team. Things are different with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Unlike most first-overall selections, Williams has the advantage of throwing to two receivers with multiple 1,000-yard seasons, a top-10 draft pick, and a running back coming off a career-high 1,000-yard rushing season.
However, determining Williams’s potential impact in his rookie season can be tricky. It’ll come down to several key factors.
Caleb Williams’ Impact on the Bears Could Redefine the Franchise
Performance Metrics
By no means is judging a player solely based on performance metrics a good idea. Yet, it’s still useful when assessing the impact of a rookie quarterback in their first year.
According to Sumersports.com, 34 quarterbacks drafted in the top five have averaged 11 starts, 2,452 passing yards, a 59% completion rate, 12 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. These league-wide averages for top-five picks seem well within reach, especially for someone of Williams’ caliber.
And when it comes to Bears’ rookie QB records, it’s bad. Windy City Gridiron writer Jacob Infante notes that, over a 17-game season, Williams would need to average the following stats to break every Bears rookie passing record:
- 129.1 passing yards per game
- 0.7 passing touchdowns per game
- 65.8% completion rate
- 82.2 passer rating
Aside from completion percentage, these numbers should be easily attainable for Williams, positioning him to easily break the Bears’ rookie passing record—and likely many others.
Consistency, Decision Making, & Poise in the Pocket
Consistency, decision-making, and pocket presence are arguably the most vital intangibles for an NFL quarterback. While rookie quarterbacks often experience ups and downs, seeing them progress toward greater consistency is essential. If Williams learns from mistakes early in the season and avoids repeating them, it will be crucial to his development.
Good decision-making is always a major factor in evaluating a quarterback’s impact, whether they’re a rookie or a 10-year veteran. Poor decisions leave no place for a QB in this league. Fortunately for the Bears, Williams has already demonstrated a solid ability to process the game quickly during the preseason. His knack for making smart choices and distributing the ball effectively is one of his standout traits as a quarterback.
Perhaps the most notable improvement from past Chicago QBs is Williams’ exceptional pocket presence. He excels at maintaining his position in the pocket, and even when forced to scramble, he keeps his eyes downfield, looking for open receivers. The mastery of these three traits is what sets quarterbacks apart, and Williams is showing signs of harnessing them to his advantage.
Caleb Williams is wild.
Making the Bengals look like a college team
— Savage (@SavageSports_) August 17, 2024
Making Special Plays “Happen at the Right Time”
Getting into the specifics and attributes of Williams shows his potential is sky-high, but what does the Bears’ staff think about Williams’ potential success in his first season?
General Manager Ryan Poles has full confidence in Williams and understands the high expectations surrounding the young quarterback. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Poles emphasizes that Williams should rely on his teammates before showcasing his unique playmaking abilities.
“Lean on the guys around him, be instinctual, let those wild plays happen at the right time. We saw it in the preseason a little bit. That’s going to be important.”
Poles and the Bears coaching staff aren’t asking Williams to be the first quarterback in franchise history to throw for over 4,000 yards or score 30 touchdowns this season. However, if Williams aims to reach those milestones, he’ll need to be reliant on his teammates rather than play hero ball like he did in college at USC.
Head Coach Matt Eberflus also chimed in:
“We all know what he can do in terms of his arm talent, in terms of throwing on the move and those types of things. In the early parts of the game and early downs, he’s just asked to play point guard. Then when you get to the point in the game where it is a critical down or a third down or in the red zone or whatever that might be. Then you might see X-factor come out.”
This doesn’t mean suppressing Williams’ ability to make special plays; it’s about learning to leverage the talent around him. Winning a Super Bowl isn’t achieved by one player—it’s a team effort. For Williams, success will come with time as he learns to trust his teammates and recognize the right moments to make game-changing plays.
The stars are aligning for Williams to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and potentially sneak the Bears into the playoffs. All that’s left is to prove it on the field.
Read More: Bears’ Caleb Williams 5-Word Message Shows Why He’s Special
Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff – USA Today Sports
