In a challenging matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Caleb Williams exhibited remarkable composure, helping the Chicago Bears secure a victory despite a low completion percentage. Head coach Ben Johnson noted that he would reserve judgment on Williams” performance until reviewing the game film, a common practice in coaching that underscores the need to analyze the details of the game.
During the game, Williams faced an exceptional amount of pressure, with the Vikings blitzing him on nearly two-thirds of his dropbacks. This was a significant deviation from the Vikings” usual defensive strategy, complicating the Bears” offensive game plan. Johnson praised Williams for effectively protecting the football, stating, “The best thing he did was he kept the ball out of harm”s way. He did a great job protecting that football.” Johnson acknowledged the Vikings” defensive prowess in creating turnovers, emphasizing that their forced fumbles were part of a deliberate strategy.
So far this season, Williams has thrown only four interceptions. Although his completion rate has dipped to 56 out of 102 passes during the team”s three-game winning streak, he has managed to avoid throwing any interceptions in that span. This season marks a continuation of Williams” trend of minimizing turnovers, as he has gone 19 games in his young career without an interception, a feat matched by only three quarterbacks in history: Dak Prescott, C.J. Stroud, and Trevor Lawrence.
Faced with aggressive blitzes, Williams adjusted his targets, often finding Cole Kmet, who had a season-high five receptions despite averaging only nine yards per catch. Johnson noted that the team aimed to focus on completions, stating, “We came into this game wanting to be very completion-driven, and yet when you look at the stat sheet we weren”t as high in completion percentages as we would like to be.” However, he highlighted that Williams” quick decisions to throw to Kmet were part of the game plan.
Johnson remarked on the Vikings” defensive coordinator Brian Flores” unique pressures, especially the corner cat blitzes that Williams had not encountered frequently before. He acknowledged Williams” improvement in avoiding sacks compared to his rookie season, calling it “legit highlight-reel stuff.” The Bears coaching staff made adjustments during the game, helping Williams to recognize the changing defensive schemes and respond effectively.
As Williams continues to navigate the demands of the game, his ability to learn from such high-pressure situations is invaluable. The experience against the Vikings, where aggressiveness met poise, serves as a crucial lesson in patience for the young quarterback, an attribute that is often overlooked for players in their early careers.
Overall, Williams demonstrated growth through adversity, showcasing his potential to thrive as he gains more experience in the league.
