You see that in pretty much every NFL stadium at this point. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the Sunday night game next week between the Steelers and Chargers at Sofi is close to a 50/50 split.
Chicago Bears 2025-2026
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You see that in pretty much every NFL stadium at this point. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the Sunday night game next week between the Steelers and Chargers at Sofi is close to a 50/50 split.
Yep, he needs to improve his overall accuracy, and that delay you mention combined with accuracy issues leads to some poor placement on completions that limits YAC. But I will say that when Cincy scored last, I looked at the clock and thought, “we can do this.” And I don’t mean that from its possible perspective, but from a we’re gonna do this perspective. Been a looooooooonnnng time since I felt that. Caleb still had a long way to go, but he is getting there.
he is improving , but for a former #1 pick who supposedly EVERYONE said had it all going on, there are many aspects of his game that are odd to me
Know how you feel. Last year's Hail Mary.
There does appear to be some similarities to the early career of Jared Goff, another #1 pick (albeit in a weak QB class). Goff had accuracy issues early on — don’t think he got much over 62% completion rate for the first portion of his career. Caleb needs to get over 67% to take that next step. But he’s definitely improved over last year, and if you subscribe to the idea that last year was a lost season for Caleb under Eberflus and Co he’s having a pretty good “rookie” year. That throw to Loveland was really nice, dropping it in with 4 defenders in the area. And come on, as Bears fans did we really think even with the #1 pick that things would be clear sailing with a QB?
a buddy of mine, a longtime Bears fan and he actually played college ball at Tulane, so he knows the game fairly well, still insists Johnson really likes Bagent better & is waiting for the right moment to play him over Williams , due to injury or whatever
Bagent is intriguing and has some potential.
Ben Johnson didn't take the Bears job over all the other ones he's been offered because of Tyson Bagent. (Jacksonville and LV were VERY interested this offseason & he had opportunities to interview the year before, which he declined...) He didn't take it because Ryan Poles and Ted McCaskey are football masterminds, either...
He is here to coach Caleb Williams.
Tyson is a high level backup. If a lot of people felt he was more the Bears' phone would be ringing off the hook this week.
I have such mixed feelings on Caleb.
On one hand, I’m not overawed by his performance thus far. I have a hard time pinpointing his strengths. He is way too inconsistent, going back and forth between absolute laser beams and then easy throws that he misses by a wide margin.
On the other hand, in 40+ years of watching the NFL, I’ve never seen the national media put more bizarrely unfair expectations on a young player like they have Caleb. Going into his rookie season, they were basically saying he’d be a disappointment if he didn’t immediately have a top-5 all time rookie QB performance and the greatest qb season in the history of the Bears. At the end of his rookie season, they equated his performance with Trevor Laurence’s rookie season when Caleb outperformed Laurence by a significant margin in every single statistical measure. Going into his second season, they put 4,000 yards passing (something no Bears QB has ever done) as a minimum benchmark for success.
We’re seeing 28-29 year old qbs all across the league find success with their second or third teams, while some of the rookies Caleb got compared to are really struggling in their 2nd or 3rd years. I think some patience might be in order.
On one hand, I’m not overawed by his performance thus far. I have a hard time pinpointing his strengths. He is way too inconsistent, going back and forth between absolute laser beams and then easy throws that he misses by a wide margin.
On the other hand, in 40+ years of watching the NFL, I’ve never seen the national media put more bizarrely unfair expectations on a young player like they have Caleb. Going into his rookie season, they were basically saying he’d be a disappointment if he didn’t immediately have a top-5 all time rookie QB performance and the greatest qb season in the history of the Bears. At the end of his rookie season, they equated his performance with Trevor Laurence’s rookie season when Caleb outperformed Laurence by a significant margin in every single statistical measure. Going into his second season, they put 4,000 yards passing (something no Bears QB has ever done) as a minimum benchmark for success.
We’re seeing 28-29 year old qbs all across the league find success with their second or third teams, while some of the rookies Caleb got compared to are really struggling in their 2nd or 3rd years. I think some patience might be in order.
Strengths are easy. Big arm. Elite ability to throw on the move. Outstanding at keeping plays alive. Runs very well. Takes great care of the football.
Weaknesses, taking the layup and playing off two feet. (The easy stuff)
Improving: He has greatly improved his sack avoidance, he is getting the ball out quicker.
Like most young QB's (QBs in general) he is MUCH more effective when the running game gets going. He definitely has trust issues with the o-line. (rightfully so)
I completely agree that he is the most scrutinized young QB in the league. Is he playing "lights out"? Far from it, but he's dragging a team with an objectively bad defense to a winning record.
He has consistently played well with the game on the line in his career, especially this season. (2025:GW TD Drive against LV, GW FG Drive against WAS, GW TD drive against CIN)
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
If there wasn't the bizarre tilted scales against him, narrative-wise (accurately described by @champaignchris) we'd be hearing all about Clutch Caleb as the story of the '25 Bears so far.
How many years to Rodgers and Love sit before they even started a game?
There were at least 4 instances off the top of my head where he should have or did the same things last year. FG drive @ GB (kick blocked), TD drive against WAS (undone by Hail Mary), 10 points in less than a minute to force over-time against MIN, GW FG drive vs. GB.
People have terrible memories whenever he plays well. They just focus on nit-picking.
Love started 1 his rookie year, but was not the starter until year 3. Rodgers sat 3 full seasons. Neither was a starter before they were 25 years old. (Caleb is 24)
He’s improved in five key statistical areas in first 8 games this year over last, though only barely in completion rate (61.5 from 61.3). But he has 3 more TDs, 1 less INT and 251 more yards. And the big jump has been in sacks taken — only 14 compared to 29. Certainly better OL has been key with improvement in sacks, but I think most would agree Caleb’s play has been a big part too.
As to strengths, Emerson gave a good list. You can really see that arm strength from this angle of the Loveland throw. And it wasn’t a big window. Of course, it came in a game winning drive too.
My point exactly. For most greatness takes time.
2X2L
- Metaluna
I could watch this play a million times.
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reminded me totally of Bryant in the Rutgers game last year .
just looking for decent field position for a end of game fg , but get the td anyway on great throw & catch
Seeing Booker knock that huge LT backwards onto his rear was an encouraging sign.
Circlin' Caleb needs to take and make the easy throws.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
The Odeyingbo signing sure didn't pan out.
It's only about a 4 and half hour drive from Chicago to Cincy so I'm not surprised to see that many make the trip down. Bears fans will show up when the team plays games in Indy too.
Your buddy is dead wrong. Johnson has already commented on Williams being able to run the offense smoothly and they'll be seeing the same things next year meaning......they'll be 100% on the same page after a year.
Tyson is a heck of a backup should Caleb go down.
pretty much what I said to him
there is a crazy small contingent of fans who think like him tho
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