Schrock: Caleb Williams era primed for takeoff after preseason of ‘special’ plays, learning moments originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
CHICAGO — Saturday was far from perfect for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears’ first-team offense.
Head coach Matt Eberflus called it a “professional” day for his young signal-caller. It’s a day that started with three straight three-and-outs, multiple miscommunications, and an intentional grounding call.
It looked like the day would be all about the dips in the rookie quarterback roller coaster.
But Williams’ day didn’t end after nine uninspiring snaps. Eberflus kept sending his rookie quarterback out there against the Cincinnati Bengals’ second-team defense, and things eventually flipped.
The electric jump the Bears’ offense needed came when Williams fired a deep ball down the seam to speedy wide receiver Tyler Scott. Scott beat the corner off the line, and Williams put enough air under the ball for Scott to be able to haul it in, but cornerback Josh Newton yanked Scott down before the ball arrived for a 43-yard pass interference penalty.
“I was a little hurt because I really wanted that one, to be honest with you,” Williams said of the pass to Scott after the Bears’ 27-3 win at Soldier Field.
While Williams and Scott didn’t complete the hook-up, the pass interference energized the Bears’ offense. That drive ended in a 37-yard field goal, and the electric current fully hit the unit on their final drive of the day before halftime.
With the ball near midfield, Williams stepped up in the pocket, pirouetted out to the left, and launched a dot to Rome Odunze down the left sideline off his back foot for a gain of 45.
“Caleb did his magic back there and placed the ball exactly where it needed to be,” Odunze said after the game.
“It’s pretty unreal, honestly,” Odunze continued. “I just watched it back. Man he’s throwing off of one leg, putting it on my outside shoulder. It’s like, oooh! It’s magical what he’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrock-caleb-williams-era-primed-230119440.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-08-17 23:01:19
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