Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears received good news long after their big win on Black Friday over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. While they were off on Sunday as a result of that scheduling, the Bears were still a topic of discussion, as they climbed the standings in the NFC.
The Los Angeles Rams’ loss to the Carolina Panthers moved them to a tied record with the Bears. The Bears own the tiebreaker over the Rams.
Their young QB is a big reason why.
Caleb Williams Draws Hall of Fame Comparison Amid Bears’ Good News
Hall of Famer Howie Long: Caleb Williams Like John Elway
Williams was not at his best against the Eagles in Week 13, until the Bears needed him to be, of course. Williams finished with a season-low 154 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception on 47.2% completion.
However, he delivered a dot to tight end Cole Kmet for a touchdown, extending the Bears’ lead to 17-9 with the successful point-after try from Cairo Santos.
And his final line, judging from Raiders icon and NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long’s comments, belied his play.
“Usually, you say with a quarterback, particularly a mobile quarterback, make him go to his left. He’s as comfortable rolling to his left, flipping his head,” Long told the panel on the Fox Sports pregame show on November 30.
“For me, he’s John Elway, from my generation. Now, John Elway … didn’t light it on fire initially. And then, he obviously had a great career, and he’s a Hall of Famer.”
Elway, who made the postseason as a rookie, starred for the Denver Broncos from 1983 through the 1998 season. He took the franchise to five Super Bowls, winning his final two tries. Williams has been inconsistent statistically this season, but his clutch prowess cannot be ignored.
One potential explanation for that is that new head coach Ben Johnson and the coaching staff rebuilt the QB’s mechanics. Whatever the cause, or how long it will take Williams to level out his play, he has been clutch for the Bears, really, since his arrival last season.
However, Williams’ situation certainly improved with Johnson taking over as head coach and the offensive play caller.
That has made a critical difference, according to Long.
Ben Johnson Made Difference for Caleb Williams, Bears
“I think he [Johnson] challenged him [Williams]. He challenged him. Usually, … I think a lot of times the more talented guys are the guys that, maybe, work less on the details. Guys like you and me [Julian Edelman], who carry a lunch pail to work, you work your rear end off, and there’s no stone left unturned,” Long said.
“I want every edge I can get. I want to look at every film I can, I want to look at every formation I can. Caleb is starting to buy in. This is – he [Johnson] challenged the team, but he also challenged the quarterback.”
Williams led the NFL in fourth-quarter comebacks with five entering the Sunday slate of games in Week 13.
Moreover, Williams himself has talked glowingly about the positive impact Johnson has had.
“Think about last offseason. Ben Johnson was a guy who was coveted,” Long said. “I think he’s lived up to it; I think he’s challenged Caleb Williams. … I think he’s challenged him, and I think Caleb Williams has responded.”
The Bears can eliminate the need for qualifiers with a win and Rams loss in Week 14, but they must defeat the Green Bay Packers to hold up their end of the equation.