Caleb Williams' 2024 struggles become 2025's high expectations
There are a few quarterbacks heading into this season with a lot to prove. While some face a year which could be their last chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has been labeled as the quarterback with the most to prove this season.
Vincent Parise analyzes former Trojan quarterback Caleb Williams being under dire pressure to succeed this season in a recent feature for Bears Wire:
"Their youth, led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, gives them hope, but it's very unproven. It is going to take some time for them to show their full potential, if they do ever reach it. The national media is pretty 'in the middle' when it comes to projecting the Bears. Most of that stems from the unknown surrounding the quarterback situation. On ESPN's First Take, commentator and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky said Williams is the quarterback with the most to prove in the NFL this season. He was the top guy on a list, followed by Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings), Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers), and Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts).
"'It is go time for Caleb Williams,' Orlovsky said. 'You have to go out and show that you are the talent, the player, and the future of the organization for a team and a place that desperately has been begging for it.' Although Orlovsky has had some controversial takes throughout his tenure in broadcasting, nothing he said is necessarily wrong. Although, you could argue a pair of former No. 1 picks should be higher than Williams on that list given their situations and the fact that Williams is only entering his second season."
It would be a disappointment if Caleb Williams did not have a successful season under Ben Johnson, but he should get some grace given this is his first year in one of the more complex offenses in the NFL. With Caleb Williams' talent and work ethic, coupled with Ben Johnson's track record as a offensive guru, Bears fans should be optimistic that this year being a failure with Caleb and Ben Johnson is one of the least probable outcomes we will see in 2025.
At the very least, if it isn't a playoff season for the Chicago Bears, we should still expect to see Caleb take necessary steps as a passer and show a great amount of growth in Year 2. Caleb's overall development carries way more weight than the Bears being a first round exit this season.
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