The NFL season is officially back, and amazingly enough tonight is the Hall of Fame Game.
As the Chicago Bears prepare for what could be one of their most thrilling seasons in recent memory, all eyes are on their top draft pick, Caleb Williams.
Hopes are high for the former USC standout who was selected first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately for Bears fans, Williams will not be playing in tonight’s game against the Houston Texans.
“I always think there’s more pros than cons in anything, especially for a young guy like myself,” Williams said of the debate whether he should play or not.
“The reps are always paramount for anybody like myself, a young rookie, a second-year guy, a third-year guy. It’s really important, and we’ll see about these preseason games coming, how they will play out.”
Williams has flashed in training camp practices, but he believes live game experience against another team is crucial for his development.
Despite Williams’ enthusiasm, the Bears are likely to exercise caution throughout the preseason.
Preseason games are vital for player development, but they also carry the risk of injury.
As this will be the Bears’ first preseason game, balancing Williams’ desire for reps with the need to keep him healthy undoubtedly played into their decision.
During a recent training camp media session at Halas Hall, Williams discussed the specific areas he aims to improve before the Bears’ Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
“I would say working on my blitz and coverage looks and feeling the umbrella of the defense,” he explained. “Adjusting protection, whether it’s flipping a run into it, flipping the protection, getting to a quick gain, or a cover-zero check – just progressing.
“A lot of that comes with seeing it and getting reps, and that’s why preseason is so important.”
As the Bears look ahead to the regular season, they will continue to develop Williams and integrate him into the team.
The rookie quarterback is determined to stay sharp and ready for the opportunities ahead, making the most of every chance to learn and grow.
Interestingly, new Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis, who played with Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-2022 drew some eye-opening comparisons between the two.
āThis guy wants to be great. You can tell if he doesn’t do something 100 percent correct, he’s correcting himself,ā Lewis said of Williams.
āHe can make every throw, a little Aaron Rodgers-esque. Heās just different, man. I’m looking forward to him going out there and competing and showing everybody what he’s been working on, because even within his first week heās doing things that you donāt see from a young guy, and the sky is the limit for him.
“(He) asks all of the right questions, he’s a leader naturally, he doesn’t walk around acting like he knows it all. I’m impressed so far.ā
Chicago’s decision to keep him on the bench tonight comes as no surprise in this modern-age of football.
Having said that, are the Bears making a mistake by being this cautious with him and not taking advantage of a golden opportunity to get him real reps in a live game???