Caleb Williams? preseason debut in the Chicago Bears? win over the Buffalo Bills went about as well as anyone could have hoped. The only thing he did not do was punch the ball into the endzone.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Williams left a strong impression on the Bills too.
Bills Players Weighed In on Caleb Williams After Bears Win
Caleb Williams Impressed Bills in Bears’ Preseason Win
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft was accurate, calm, and in control of the offense. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said he wanted to see those things from Williams in his debut. The rookie faced uncertainty amid an up-and-down first NFL Training camp.
?A couple of Bills guys I talked to were pretty impressed with what they were faced with in Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams?one went so far as to call him ?the real deal,? Breer wrote on August 12. ?In particular, his command in the huddle, pocket awareness, poise, accuracy and instincts stood out to them, which showed both growth, and that pieces of his collegiate game are translating quickly.?
Williams completed 4-of-7 passes for 95 yards. He had two of his passes dropped, one each to DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.
Williams also found both players on throws that showcased his ability to remain calm under pressure and deliver the ball accurately (Moore) and to keep his eyes downfield and remain accurate while on the move (Kmet).
The result was an encouraging day that Williams knows he has to get better from.
?To get out there and have the confidence that we had out there, it’s only going to get better,? Williams told reporters on August 10. ?And we can’t wait.?
Caleb Williams Ranked No. 6 ?Second-Reaction? QB in NFL
Williams entered the league with highly-touted improvisational skills. He showed that off too. Williams scrambled on a play that the defense covered well. He picked up 13 yards on his lone rushing attempt of the evening. He is already garnering faith in his ability to operate off-script.
ESPN?s Dan Orlovsky ranked Williams as the No. 6 quarterback in the NFL in ?second-reaction ability.?
?Williams has elite strength, and considering how good he was in this category in college, I fully expect him to instantly be among the NFL’s best second-reaction playmakers in 2024,? Orlovsky wrote on August 12.
He was the only rookie on the list. The Bears moved the pocket for Williams, who had some balls batted down in practice. The next step in his progression will be proving that he can consistently make throws from the pocket. Specifically, throws from a messy pocket like his 15-yard laser to Moore.