Current:Home > MarketsExpect Bears to mirror ups and downs of rookie Caleb Williams – and expect that to be fun -ApexWealth
Expect Bears to mirror ups and downs of rookie Caleb Williams – and expect that to be fun
View
Date:2025-04-18 15:31:12
Caleb Williams’ arrival has blown renewed football optimism into Chicago like a wintry blast off Lake Michigan.
The No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft has been hailed as a generational prospect and franchise savior. Some “experts” believe he can take the Chicago Bears to the playoffs – this season. He’s even (still) garnering (unfair) comparisons to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.
And Williams was certainly feeling the adoration Saturday afternoon, a charged-up crowd reveling in his Soldier Field debut … even if it was only a preseason affair against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“They showed out, they showed up,” Williams said of the fans, who are only feeling love – right now – for the man many have already prognosticated will wind up the greatest passer ever for a franchise that’s more than a century old.
“When I ran through the end zone, it was pretty sick.”
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
However, despite the atmosphere and understandable expectations, a 27-3 victory was nevertheless a reminder that the Bears, who haven’t won a playoff game in nearly 14 years, will doubtless mirror the rollercoaster their rookie quarterback is likely to ride.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner took the field with the first-team offense – facing a Bengals defense mostly fielding backups – and promptly fell flat. Chicago went three-and-out on its first three drives, accounting for all of 16 yards, Williams completing two of six throws for 12 yards while receiving an intentional grounding penalty.
“We weren’t our best today, we started out slow. We can’t do that in this National Football League,” said Williams, who also took the blame for a subsequent false start due to a rushed cadence and claimed responsibility for a sack.
“We’re gonna get a lot better, we’re gonna keep growing.
“We’re excited. … We’re here to win games for the Chicago Bears.”
The fourth drive began providing evidence why that could happen extensively in 2024 for a team that finished 7-10 last season without Williams.
A 16-yard end-around from wideout Rome Odunze, who was drafted eight spots after Williams, got the offense into gear. On the next play, Williams took a deep shot – one he thought would have resulted in a 58-yard touchdown – to Tyler Scott, who was mugged on the play, which resulted in a 43-yard gain thanks to pass interference. The offense stalled from there, settling for a 37-yard field goal.
But then things got really exciting.
On Chicago's last possession of the first half, Williams' final drive of the day, he scrambled to his left but managed to throw across his body and loft a 45-yard completion to Odunze down the sideline to the Bengals’ 7-yard line. On the next snap, he found Odunze in the back corner of the end zone for an apparent touchdown … except the University of Washington product lost track of his feet and stepped out of bounds.
“That was a little rookie moment right there,” Odunze told NFL Network after the game. “Thought I was in completely – thought I was in by a foot, turns out I was out by a foot. Something I’ll definitely learn from.”
But two plays later, the rookie quarterback picked up the rookie receiver, Williams embarking on a serpentine scramble – unlike predecessor Justin Fields, Williams was looking to pass – before finally taking off and using his legs to score the touchdown.
Williams couldn’t help but smile when asked about what seems like the near-instant chemistry he and Odunze have developed.
“We’re gonna be explosive. We’re two rooks, but we’re trying to catch up to the old guys as fast as we can to make sure that we’re right there on par with them,” said Williams, noting he still needs to work to get on the “same page” with veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.
“We’re only going to keep growing and keep building this connection.”
Told Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill appeared to be the latest to make the Williams-Mahomes comp with a tweet Saturday, the rookie tried to maintain some semblance of perspective, saying “it’s cool, it’s great," appreciative of the sign of respect while also trying to establish his own NFL identity – knowing he’s a long way from MVP awards or chasing a prospective Super Bowl three-peat.
“We’re gonna keep working to be perfect,” said Williams, surely knowing that’s unattainable – particularly since it’s an NFL guarantee he’ll face more struggles and uneven performances during his maiden voyage through the league.
But another thing he said certainly could come to fruition, much as it is to ask for a first-year quarterback … but maybe not one who’s surrounded by as much talent as Williams is.
“We’re gonna win a lot of games,” he said, “and we’re gonna have a lot of fun doing it.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (817)
Related
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Mexican drug cartels pay Americans to smuggle weapons across the border, intelligence documents show
- Tensions rise on Italian island amid migrant surge, posing headache for government
- How Real Housewives Alum Jen Shah and Elizabeth Holmes Have Bonded in Prison
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Lemur on the loose! Video shows police chasing critter that escaped in Missouri
- See All of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royally Sweet Moments at The Invictus Games in Germany
- Homicide suspect who fled into Virginia woods hitched a ride back to Tennessee, authorities say
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Alabama Public Library Service to create list of controversial books
Ranking
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- 6 are in custody after a woman’s body was found in a car’s trunk outside a popular metro Atlanta spa
- Selena Gomez Is Proudly Putting a Spotlight on Her Mexican Heritage—On and Off Screen
- Selena Gomez Is Proudly Putting a Spotlight on Her Mexican Heritage—On and Off Screen
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Hurricane Lee on path for New England and Canada with Category 1 storm expected to be large and dangerous
- 60 years later, 16th Street Baptist Church bombing survivor seeks restitution
- 6 are in custody after a woman’s body was found in a car’s trunk outside a popular metro Atlanta spa
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for
TikToker Elyse Myers Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 2
Louisiana, 9 other states ask federal judge to block changes in National Flood Insurance Program
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Aaron Rodgers speaks out for first time since his season-ending injury: I shall rise yet again
AP Week in Pictures: Asia
Thursday Night Football highlights: Eagles beat Vikings, but hear boo birds