NFL media and fans around the league believed Caleb Williams was walking into the best situation a rookie quarterback has ever had. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, Williams was walking into a dysfunctional Chicago Bears organization that continues to show they can’t develop quarterbacks.
Back in September, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared his take on how to develop young quarterbacks, which is something the Bears should take to heart.
Why the Bears Should Take Notes from Kevin O’Connell’s Quarterback Philosophy
Organizations Fail Quarterbacks Before Quarterbacks Fail Organizations
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Kevin O’Connell emphasized that when young quarterbacks struggle, the blame lies with the organization:
“I just think as a whole, there’s not enough emphasis put on the organization’s role in the development of the position, meaning I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations. Just overall 30,000-foot view, I think it’s important to understand that every single one of these guys is on a journey. A very difficult journey. That they need the support, they need the teammates around them, they need the systems in place to ultimately try to maximize who they are and what their potential is because you’re still drafting players off of potential. And then everything that happens from that moment to when that potential becomes a reality is really on the organization if you’ve got the right guy that you’re bringing in. “
It’s not that Caleb Williams is another bad quarterback for the Bears. He’s been playing well considering all the coaching malpractice and abysmal offensive line play. The real problem? It didn’t have to be this way.
How the Bears Could Have Avoided a Disastrous Season
The Bears focused on flashy moves—trading for Keenan Allen, signing D’Andre Swift at the start of free agency, and selecting Rome Odunze with their other first-round pick.
It’s not that those moves were necessarily bad, it’s the fact that the Bears avoided building from the foundation up.
Look at the top contenders in the NFL right now. They all share two things in common. A great playcaller and a top-tier offensive line. The Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and the list goes on.
The Bears have neither. If they realized Matt Eberflus was a lame-duck head coach and invested more in the offensive line, things could have looked a whole lot different this season.
The Root of the Bears’ Quarterback Woes
Until the Bears prove they can develop quarterbacks, history tells us not to trust them. Chicago’s struggles are systemic, and they stem from ownership. It’s an unfortunate reality that the Bears’ front office, coaches, and players have no control. You can blame the quarterback, the head coach, the offensive play-caller, or the general manager. But ultimately, the blame falls on ownership.
Until there is a change in ownership, this trend will likely continue. So for the Bears, try to understand Kevin O’Connell’s message on developing young quarterbacks. There’s still time to save Caleb Williams and steer him back on the right track. Every offseason feels like the most critical one for the Bears, but this upcoming offseason will define the franchise’s trajectory for decades.
If Chicago fails to hire the right head coach and continues neglecting its foundation, the Bears will remain stuck in their cycle of mediocrity.
Main Image: Brad Rempel – USA Today Sports
