Caleb Williams Is Doing Something That Wasn’t Supposed To Be Possible
The assessments of Caleb Williams coming out of USC were largely the same. He is a phenomenal physical talent with arm strength, accuracy, and mobility. His natural instincts for making plays outside the pocket were almost like a superpower. Every time his team needed him to put on the Superman cape, he could do it. However, there were concerns about whether he could perform inside the structure of an offense. Can he play from the pocket and read the entire field? That was one of the main reasons the Chicago Bears moved on from Justin Fields.
It appears they already have their answer just six games into his rookie season. A new chart from @throwthedamball shows quarterbacks who throw the most often to their first reads on a play and how successful they’ve been at it. Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels is the biggest standout here, going to his first read among the most in the league. That isn’t the craziest part. The chart shows that Williams has actually been among the league’s lowest throwers to the first read. Not only that, but he’s actually having considerable success when he doesn’t.
Caleb Williams is playing like a 10-year vet.
Look at the chart again and note the names he’s in close proximity to. Jordan Love? Matthew Stafford? Patrick Mahomes? These guys are considered among the absolute best, which is why it’s impossible to ignore when someone is mentioned in the same breath as them. The fact Williams has accomplished it as a rookie is even more. Like Daniels and Baker Mayfield, players in the upper field are considered the beneficiaries of excellent scheming. Those in the upper left are categorized as those who can take things beyond the scheme.
It is mind-boggling that Caleb Williams is even in that conversation this early in his career. It is also a testament to the work done by the Bears to help prepare him. Ryan Poles put a great supporting cast in place with additions like Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. Head coach Matt Eberflus was smart enough to have him practice against the starting defense all summer. Shane Waldron has found his footing as offensive coordinator, cooking up some good scheming to help get his QB comfortable.
Williams coupled all that with a relentless work ethic and determination to learn the position. He understood right away that his college style would never last in the NFL. It was time to evolve, and he has.