What makes Caleb Williams totally different? Bears gamers, coaches share tales

Rome Odunze most well-liked to take a seat on the bench and reset when the College of Washington’s protection took the sphere. He wished to catch his breath earlier than the following collection.

Besides when Caleb Williams was the opponent. He was must-see.

Odunze already had a notion of Williams due to a viral second from Oklahoma. As a freshman, Williams took the ball from his working again who was about to go down in need of the primary down on fourth-and-1 and transformed it himself.

“I used to be like, ‘Oh, OK. He performs just a little totally different,’” Odunze stated.

When USC’s offense took the sphere, Odunze didn’t sit down. He needed to see, in particular person, what Williams was all about.

“I used to be on the sideline watching like, ‘Oh, my goodness, they’re doing their factor.’ He was doing his factor with the scrambles, with the throws,” Odunze stated. “That undoubtedly confirmed it, OK, this dude’s bought one thing totally different in him.”

Since Williams arrived at Halas Corridor — because the No. 1 decide on this yr’s draft, the Bears’ beginning quarterback, and the franchise’s hope to finish its a long time of wandering by way of the quarterback desert — the descriptor used most frequently for what he’s completed on and off the sphere is “totally different.”

Odunze noticed it in school. Gamers and coaches had seen the highlights. Now everybody has skilled it at Halas Corridor.

“I’ve adopted Caleb since he was a freshman at highschool,” extensive receivers coach Chris Beatty stated. “I’ve seen a number of Caleb make some throws that you just simply look to the facet and like, ‘Did you see that?’ That hasn’t actually modified.”

From how he throws the soccer to how he interacts together with his teammates, Williams doesn’t function like a rookie quarterback. He’s positive to nonetheless have the everyday rookie ups and downs, however he’s wired in a uncommon approach for a first-year QB. All through coaching camp, in conversations with The Athletic, gamers and coaches recounted their first impressions that instructed them what Odunze already knew: OK, Williams is totally different.

The arm expertise

As Tyson Bagent ready for his new teammate, the starter he’d be backing up, somebody who had seen Williams throw instructed him one thing that caught.

“He was born to throw,” Bagent stated.

Then Bagent noticed it for himself, the issues Williams may do this different quarterbacks couldn’t. As Bagent described it, the extraordinarily assured quarterback himself was emphatic about Williams’ traits.

“Only a loopy, blessed athlete,” he stated.

Six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen may already see it when he watched USC highlights. Positive, catching the passes from Williams helped affirm it, however he already had a way of why Williams was the no-question No. 1 decide.

“Most likely the best way he throws the ball,” Allen stated. “The angles that he will get to, rolling out, whether or not he’s rolling proper or left, it’s fairly spectacular the best way he can ship it. You would see it (on tape).”

As soon as the total group bought collectively at Halas Corridor to start OTAs after which coaching camp, the veterans may see what this new quarterback may do. The throws he made had been totally different.

Tight finish Cole Kmet: The decide he threw (in camp). I do know it’s a decide. However what a loopy throw, and Tyrique (Stevenson) made an unbelievable catch on that. However simply these forms of throws the place he’s stagnant, perhaps his ft get caught within the pocket, and he’s in a position to rotate his hips and create that torque and whip together with his arm. It’s a really pitch-like movement for baseball; it’s simply actually spectacular. And he’s in a position to layer the ball with good contact and really feel.

Defensive deal with Dashaun Mallory: He had a throw behind the tip zone. It was a kind of passes the place it was like, man, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen any quarterback make that sort of throw over two individuals, brief quantity of area for the extensive receiver to get his ft in, and he throws an absolute dart.

Beatty: He’s had some (throws) right here in camp that you just sit again and say, “Man, he spins it totally different.” He had Keenan on a seam, perhaps three weeks in the past, and simply the best way he threw it and the best way it got here off and the platform that he threw it from, you simply take a look at one another like, “Man, did I simply see what I noticed?”

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron had seen all of the “unimaginable arm angles” on Williams’ school tape, after which on the follow fields, however he wished to expertise it in a recreation. It didn’t take lengthy.

Waldron: The primary preseason recreation towards the Payments, I do know we had a designed rollout that he hit Cole on, you simply really feel his accuracy on the transfer. After which within the second preseason recreation that he performed in, clearly getting out and getting on the sting on some scrambles and seeing how he’s ready to try this whereas additionally defending the ball. There’s an class to it.

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington: After I noticed the display screen move in Buffalo … and the best way he needed to contort his arm, the best way he needed to match the ball and simply to really feel and the timing of it — he held the ball lengthy sufficient to get your complete protection out of place and for them to be leveraged out of the play. And in order that’s uncommon. That’s uncommon. Simply to know, OK, right here comes strain, so we’ve bought one man again right here, and if we are able to maintain this lengthy sufficient and match it by way of a decent window, now we have an opportunity for this to be an explosive play. That’s not regular — that form of really feel and understanding make what the protection is doing work towards them and make the offensive idea go. So there’s been so much. I’ve seen a number of issues out right here, his contact, his deep-ball contact, his potential to fireside the ball with velocity at totally different angles and going away from the goal. And all of these issues are high-end expertise.

Defensive passing recreation coordinator/cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke: He’s extraordinarily correct with throwing the soccer on the transfer. He can change his throw place to make it occur, and he goes to his left simply in addition to he goes to his proper.

The athleticism

When a quarterback scrambles throughout coaching camp, some completions that comply with can usually be dismissed. The scramble itself ought to depend as a win for the protection’s protection and rush. The quarterbacks, in fact, can’t be hit.

However exceptions can and needs to be made when one thing spectacular occurs — when you understand that the QB efficiently eluded the push.

One instance got here early in camp on July 22. Williams scrambled after which hit receiver DJ Moore streaking down the center of the protection for an extended landing on Subject 1 at Halas Corridor.

Former Bears QB Brett Rypien: It’s onerous to simulate him getting exterior the pocket and making performs. And, you understand, he noticed just a little little bit of it yesterday. …  You return and watch (the landing to Moore). And people are the kind of performs you take a look at and also you’re like, that’s particular. That’s stuff you’ll be able to’t train.

Defensive finish DeMarcus Walker: That’s the factor with at present’s quarterbacks, you bought to have the ability to transfer and throw a dot whereas being uncomfortable. Since you bought guys transferring so quick and working 4.4s, 4.3s, 4.5s. It’s undoubtedly difficult — a man who can run like Caleb together with his fast ft. … Once I noticed his movie, I knew that Caleb may transfer. Justin Fields was quick — quick quick. (Caleb) may be very fast like a rabbit.

Rypien: The principle factor is the on-the-run potential instantly and the discharge is actually, actually good. That’s one factor you see these guys popping out these days. Guys which have success early, it’s a must to have a lightning-quick launch. The zoning defenders are so quick on this league. It’s so onerous if you happen to’re not in a position to get to your base shortly, get the ball out and get it there precisely. And he’s completed that, and it’s gotten higher and higher.

Working again Khalil Herbert: I really feel like he has at the very least one a day, one thing he does that’s similar to, “Wow. Did you see that?” Sneaky, athletic. … I ran a Y route, and he no-look threw it to me. I used to be on the brink of run down the sphere and like, “Oh, the ball’s coming to me.” He was wanting down the sphere. So he simply does issues that you just don’t see a number of younger guys do, and he does it at a extremely excessive degree. He undoubtedly makes a few of these performs each single day.

Williams additionally made them in the course of the preseason. The sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals featured performs that give defensive coaches nightmares.

The rookie quarterback did his half on what ought to have been a landing to Odunze within the again finish zone, however he adopted it up by working for a 7-yard landing that left two Bengals defenders behind him.

Hoke: The play that he scrambled and he scored the landing on, he felt these guys. The way in which he backed out of that pocket and that scenario that he was in, simply feeling the lineman and was in a position to escape that and rating, it exhibits that he’s bought a number of pocket presence. He feels issues across the pocket, and he’s extraordinarily correct.

Caleb. Williams.

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— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024

The maturity

Any doubts about how Williams, a famous person in school, would deal with being a rookie in an NFL constructing had been shortly dispelled.

From how he handles adversity in follow to the best way he’s within the locker room to the best way he handles his press conferences, Williams hasn’t acted like a rookie.

Broad receiver DJ Moore: I by no means see him down after a sure play. Simply having that short-term reminiscence is actual short-term with him. He’ll let the play go after which after we go to the sideline, convey it up, undergo the entire thing. That’s distinctive. If a quarterback can keep in mind all of the performs that he ran and those he tousled for positive, we’ve bought one thing particular.

Washington: I similar to the best way carries himself. He carries himself with a sure degree of confidence and humility. As a result of he’s going to undergo it just a little bit, and if he does, or when he does, you understand that he’s going to bounce out of it very, in a short time.

Defensive deal with Andrew Billings: He acts like he’s been right here. And that sounds loopy. Any rookie that acts like he’s been right here, you don’t prefer it. However when it’s the quarterback, it’s wanted. It actually is required. That’s what I watch. I watch how he’s in follow. If every little thing doesn’t go properly, like what does he do? Some guys are like, “Oh, man.” Can they go to the following play? He goes to the following play very properly.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards: I like when individuals are available in, irrespective of who they’re, rookies or a vet that signed, they usually’re really themselves. For somebody to return in, particularly first-round decide, all that hype, I don’t know what that seems like — he simply got here in and has been himself. He’s a constructive dude, which I actually like. … It’s straightforward to need to are available in and attempt to match this mildew or narrative. He’s simply himself, and that’s the most effective half.

Security Kevin Byard: We’re taking part in playing cards. It might be me, Tremaine (Edmunds), Keenan Allen and Caleb. Since I’ve been within the league, I performed with some good quarterbacks, he simply looks like he’s a part of the fellows. To be a rookie, clearly, he’s already been put in a management place. I believe he’s doing job bonding with your complete group and never simply his offensive line or his working backs or receivers. He’s hanging with the defensive guys, we’re all hanging out behind the bus making jokes. You simply don’t usually see that from a rookie who simply bought right into a place the place he’s round a number of veteran guys, who’s round guys who’ve made a number of performs on this league. I simply really feel like he simply suits in so properly with this group and the tradition.

At Williams’ professional day, coach Matt Eberflus, Waldron and normal supervisor Ryan Poles had been all struck by Williams’ character. Waldron noticed Williams treating everybody at dinner, from teammates to waiters, with respect. “His potential to attach with everybody,” Waldron stated. That was additionally evident in the course of the preseason.

Waldron: Once you see him within the household space post-practice, you don’t should ask him to do something. He goes and says hello to individuals, like Hoss (Jason Houghtaling), our assistant O-line coach, and his household who (Williams) hadn’t met but. Otherwise you see him within the cafeteria in these settings and also you do the fitting factor if you’re particular person and also you’ve had the fitting values instilled in you out of your mother and father, and that’s actually confirmed up with him.

The arrogance

If “totally different” is the No. 1 adjective we’ve heard about Williams, “assured” could be an in depth second. He’s acknowledged it, and everybody who is aware of him sees it. Williams appears to straddle the road properly between assured and cocky, which is even trickier when strolling into an NFL constructing as a rookie.

The Bears aren’t essentially an previous group, however they’ve loads of veterans. Williams has assimilated properly on and off the sphere.

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds: Significantly from a younger man, simply seeing his confidence day in and time out. I believe that’s the No. 1 factor that stands proud. As a result of it doesn’t matter what the expertise degree is, if you happen to don’t are available in with confidence, it’s gonna take away out of your athletic potential, your expertise and all of the issues that you just’re used to doing.

Byard: It would’ve been the second or third play (of the Payments recreation), and I believe he had scrambled out to his proper. It was one thing that most individuals didn’t discover, however he scrambled and he kinda held the ball out. It seemed like he did it for no motive, and I used to be like, “What’s he doing?” I requested him about it on the sideline and he stated he does it as a result of the tip that’s dashing is attempting to get the ball away from him. It seemed as cool as s— on the sphere. I used to be like, “This man’s feeling himself out right here.” It was humorous as a result of it was the third play of his first recreation ever. That comfortability.

Broad receiver DeAndre Carter: Should you sit down and speak to him, his degree of competitiveness goes to separate him from a number of different guys. He needs to win and he needs to win above the rest. And never saying that it surprises me, however coming from a man that’s all the time been within the highlight, that has a number of stuff happening off the sphere … for him to all the time have “profitable soccer video games” because the No. 1 factor that’s on his thoughts, I believe that’s just a little totally different or distinctive for somebody in his place.

Linebacker Jack Sanborn: (It’s) simply understanding … how defensive guys are form of taking part in in every protection and what stresses us out, and simply having the ability to nearly transfer us together with his eyes. Like he did it early on in OTAs. He made me, for instance, go a method after which hit a dig proper behind me. Particularly for a rookie popping out, it’s robust to do.

Caleb Williams is MONEY on the run.

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— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

The chief

On Monday, Williams formally turned certainly one of Bears’ eight captains for this season. His choice wasn’t too shocking given the place he performs and the general significance of it. However his choice was the results of a gamers’ vote. 

Those that have watched Williams intently began to see his management skills emerge weeks in the past by way of his interactions together with his teammates on the sphere throughout practices.

Eberflus: I may see him being snug within the offense to have the ability to now step out on what he’s alleged to do and be capable of step out and assist others do their job. I believe that’s what you do as a quarterback. You’re a multiplier. You’re an enhancer of different individuals, and that’s what he’s completed. I began to see him doing that … most likely in Week 2 of coaching camp, which was actually cool, having him speak to Cole, having him speak to DJ, Keenan, Rome, (working again D’Andre) Swift, all these guys that he’s throwing the ball to and dealing with these guys to make it higher. And that to me was so spectacular. However he didn’t do it instantly. He waited till he was snug and he knew what he was doing after which he began to really feel the offense and perceive the place issues are and the way issues run. After which he was in a position to interject and take a management position.

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photographs: Perry Knotts / Getty Photographs)