Courtney Cronin
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears exited Week 2 with main questions on their protection after giving up 52 factors to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Misplaced within the 52-21 blowout that marked Chicago's (0-2) second NFC North defeat in six days, nonetheless, was enchancment from quarterback Caleb Williams.
In his second recreation below coach Ben Johnson, Williams threw for 207 yards, two touchdowns and an interception whereas finishing 63.3% of his passes. The Bears have scored a landing on the offense's opening possession in back-to-back weeks, one thing that didn't occur throughout Williams' rookie season.
“I did see vital development,” Johnson mentioned. “It isn't excellent but. There's nonetheless numerous performs the place our eyes aren't fairly in the proper place or we're holding onto the ball only a tick longer than what we're teaching. However I did see super development by way of going via the development. There have been a number of occasions there the place we needed to get to No. 3 or 4 within the learn and he was trusting his toes and his footwork and was capable of get there.”
Williams was at his greatest on in-rhythm dropbacks, the place he launched the ball between 2.5 and 4.0 seconds, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Williams accomplished 14 of 21 makes an attempt for 191 yards and two touchdowns on such dropbacks, in contrast with 5 of 9 for 16 yards and an interception on fast or prolonged move makes an attempt.
The 2024 No. 1 choose linked with receiver Rome Odunze on each of his landing passes, bringing their whole to 3 via two video games. Although there are a number of performs the place Johnson and Williams mentioned the quarterback may have accomplished higher — comparable to throwing the ball out of bounds within the second quarter as a substitute of attempting to suit a move down the sideline to receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, which resulted in an interception — the quarterback believes progress will present up with extra reps.
“I feel it is simply [the offense] being constant,” Williams mentioned. “In the best way of our approach — the performs which might be known as. And going on the market and being technical about it and beating the person in entrance of you. That features myself. I feel we simply try this over and again and again. Do not attempt to create any explosive performs. Do not attempt to be Superman, and so they'll come. All people simply did their one-eleventh, and we preserve transferring on.”
Accuracy was a difficulty for Williams throughout the Bears' 27-24 season-opening loss to the Vikings. His completion share dropped from 81% within the first half (13-of-16) to 42% within the second half, and his off-target share (29.4%) was the worst amongst all quarterbacks in Week 1.
Williams mentioned final week that some off-target throws could be associated to his footwork and being hesitant as a substitute of “letting it rip.”
“I imply, first recreation, I missed a pair passes,” Williams mentioned. “I feel [against Detroit], hit some key passes and did not really feel like something was off. My footwork was stable and was hitting my guys, so I feel I've bought to go have a look at the tape and determine this recreation how I may also help us bodily and mentally perhaps on the sideline or one thing. Or speaking to the blokes, regardless of the case could also be.”
Nonetheless, there's work to be accomplished to get Williams acting at his greatest constantly. The Lions pressured the Bears quarterback on 43.2% of his dropbacks, and it led to him taking 4 sacks. Chicago was flagged six occasions on offense, together with twice for false begins and twice for holding. The Bears did not convert on two fourth-down makes an attempt, together with a quarterback sneak, and turned the ball over twice.
“With a staff like that on the opposite facet, they make you pay,” Williams mentioned.
The stakes of one other recreation with a revenge angle are excessive getting into Week 3. The Bears will welcome the Dallas Cowboys and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to city on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), 10 months after the previous Chicago coach was fired throughout Williams' rookie season.
The aim for Johnson as he prepares his quarterback for a defensive coordinator who is aware of him properly is to construct on the regular enchancment he has seen via two video games.
“I did assume he bought higher from Week 1 to Week 2,” Johnson mentioned. “I am inspired by what I noticed and I am hopeful that we'll proceed to see one other leap right here this week.”
