Caleb Williams finally played his first snaps of the preseason for the Chicago Bears. It resulted in a field goal drive. Unfortunately, there were some setbacks during the sequence that left him, head coach Ben Johnson, and those watching a bit frustrated. For the most part, Williams was solid. He made two good reads that led to 28 yards on the drive. However, three straight incompletions after a holding penalty stalled things. One was batted at the line of scrimmage. Another was a misfire to Rome Odunze, who appeared to be held. Yet it was the other one the QB probably wished he had back.
It came right after the holding penalty with the Bears facing 1st and 20. Williams took the snap from shotgun and fired a pass to Colston Loveland. The tight end was open, but the throw was a little too high and behind him. That put the Bears at 2nd-and-20, which made things much more difficult. Coach Johnson said after the game that he would’ve preferred Williams go elsewhere with the ball. The quarterback revealed why that was the case after the game. It turns out Loveland was not the first read on the play.
“That’s not typically our read on that play with that, when they get into that coverage. They ended up messing up on defense. (I) tried to find the open guy and just missed.”
Caleb Williams got too aggressive.
Being the big-game hunter he is, the quarterback hoped to get everything back and then some on the play. He wasn’t technically wrong about the decision. Loveland had his man beat. It’s more that the throw was more difficult than some of the other options available. Reviewing the film revealed why Johnson was somewhat frustrated. Running back Roschon Johnson, lined up in the slot, runs a clearing route that leaves Odunze wide open underneath. A throw to him likely gets the Bears at least 7 or 8 yards, setting up a more manageable 2nd down.
It was an even greater case with Kaden Davis wide to the right. Loveland clears so much space underneath that a well-timed throw would’ve given the receiver a dozen yards of free real estate to work with.
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This is what people talk about with Caleb Williams not taking the layups often enough. Big plays are nice, but they are also difficult to pull off. Most of the time, it’s much smarter to take what the defense gives you. Johnson’s play call is perfect. It gives his quarterback two incredibly easy options to choose from. Instead, Williams went off-script, seeking the home run. He swung and missed. That left the Bears in too deep a hole to climb out of. Little things like that carry big consequences. It’s a lesson the quarterback is still learning.
All in all, the brief appearance was useful.
While Williams only played nine snaps, they were an educational nine snaps. That makes them worth it in Johnson’s eyes. The more he can get Williams to trust the system and not always feel the need to play hero ball, the better. For his part, the quarterback wasn’t ignorant of the mistake. He understands he took a calculated risk that ultimately wasn’t necessary. One can bet that the two will discuss that before the next practice. Over time, Williams should learn from it.
This should not overshadow the progress he’s clearly made from last season. The command he has over the offense was plainly evident. Williams saw everything he was supposed to see. This wasn’t a case of him misreading coverages or making bad adjustments. It was a decision that, while understandable, didn’t fit the situation. Those are the little things quarterbacks get better at as their careers progress.
