Matt Hasselbeck Just Sparked a Debate About Caleb Williams' Leadership
There's growing optimism around Chicago's offense heading into the season—but not everyone's convinced things will click for the team's new face at quarterback. While expectations remain sky-high, a recent segment on The Herd reignited concerns that go beyond Xs and Os. From holding onto the ball too long to sideline demeanor, a respected NFL voice didn't hold back in identifying what might actually be dragging this offense down.
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Matt Hasselbeck, a former Pro Bowl quarterback who spent 17 seasons in the NFL and is now an ESPN analyst, believes the Bears' biggest issue isn't their offensive line—it's Caleb Williams.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) practices before the game against the New England Patriots.Mike Dinovo/Imagn Images
During his appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Hasselbeck made it clear: most of the sacks Chicago allowed weren't protection breakdowns, but rather a product of Williams' indecision and lack of awareness.
'Early on, his eyes were in the wrong place,' Hasselbeck explained. 'It didn't look like he had a clear grasp of protection schemes.'
The criticism didn't stop there. Hasselbeck went deeper, citing Williams' reliance on raw athleticism and improvisation as something that worked at USC—but won't fly in the NFL. And when asked about leadership? He didn't mince words.
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'Body language matters,' he said bluntly. 'That really bothered me—how he handled things last year.' At the same time, Hasselbeck made it clear that these challenges aren't unique to Caleb Williams.
He noted that many young quarterbacks struggle with similar issues early on and emphasized that identifying and fixing these problems was a crucial part of his own development as a player.
While the Bears have retooled the offense to help their rookie succeed, the message is clear: the leap from college stardom to pro leadership will take more than talent. It'll require discipline, maturity—and a lot less freelancing. With new head coach Ben Johnson now tasked with developing Williams at the next level, the pressure to refine those details has never been higher.
Related: Bears Linked to Pro Bowl Veteran in Latest Free Agency Buzz
Related: Caleb Williams' Ceiling Draws Comparison to NFC North Rival Ahead of Year 2
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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