Caleb Williams was one of the most highly-touted quarterback prospects to come out of college in a decade. When asked to describe him, both players and coaches tended to say the same things. Terrific arm strength, great mobility, and an elite knack for throwing on the run. Up through his first year in the NFL, every comment made about Williams was in various forms of that. Immense physical talent. No mention of his intelligence or prowess, if any, as a leader. Maybe not the best sign, right?
All of that has changed. During an interview with NFL Network, new Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant was asked about his first impressions of Williams. You’d expect the usual response: amazing arm, etc., etc. Instead, Bryant dropped this.
“Just an elite competitor, honestly. Great leader. Like I said before, it spoke volumes just him reaching out to me when I signed and, you know, him just paying his respect and vice versa. The sky’s the limit. He has a bright future.”
For a veteran player fresh off winning the Super Bowl to say that is incredibly telling. It is the first true confirmation that the narrative around Williams has shifted. While his physical talent remains obvious, his evolution as a leader is becoming more notable.
Caleb Williams showed signs of this evolution late last season.
Through the first couple of months, the quarterback operated as usual. He’d appear calm and collected most of the time, overly focused on his job before celebrating wildly after wins. Then, around December and into January, you saw the signs. Williams was becoming more vocal in the huddle and on the sidelines, engaging teammates with corrections and even shouting at them when mistakes were made. It was clear evidence that the young quarterback felt it was time to assume the mantle of leadership, undoubtedly nudged along by head coach Ben Johnson.
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This was something many critics weren’t sure about when Williams came out of USC. The physical skills and athleticism were no-brainers. He had every tool imaginable to thrive in the NFL. What nobody knew for certain was whether the quarterback had the charisma and work ethic necessary to fill the role as a legitimate franchise cornerstone. Previous Bears QBs either seemed unable or unwilling to do that. Justin Fields never had the outward personality. Mitch Trubisky did, but couldn’t back it up on the field. Jay Cutler had incredible ability but a standoffish personality.
Williams feels like the first player in recent memory to finally check every box.
Bryant might be just what Williams needs.
The best way for the Bears quarterback to get better is by getting constantly challenged in practice. Few safeties in the NFL are better at that than Bryant. His versatility and intelligence were a vital part of Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning defense last season. He has elite intelligence, allowing him to put himself in spots that make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. This was a notable issue Caleb Williams dealt with last season. Smarter defenses found ways to frustrate him at times. Reaching that next step of identifying and exploiting small weaknesses is critical. Bryant can help show the way.
Competition in practice is what the Bears have been shooting for since Johnson arrived. He knows that the harder you can make things in practice, the easier things get on game days. This is why the Bears have made how players practice a major priority when scouting. Bryant is notorious for being a dedicated workout warrior. He goes 100 mph every day. It appears Williams is ready to match that energy. Hence, the confidence that big things are ahead both for him and the team.
