Through three games, the first pick in the draft has not performed as well as the second pick in the draft. Opponents of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, however, aren’t ready to jump to the conclusions some on the outside have already drawn regarding Williams and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, first overall pick 15 years ago, praised Williams earlier in the week. Rams coach Sean McVay had a lot of positive things to say about the Bears’ rookie starter on Friday.
“I’ve been watching this guy for a long time, whether it was when he started playing at Oklahoma or USC and he’s a stud,” McVay told reporters. “All the accolades that have been earned based on his work and his resume. . . . He checks all the boxes.
“You can see he knows what he’s looking at. He can process, he can play in the pocket, play with timing and rhythm, throw the ball with precision and anticipation, and then when things go off schedule, He’s a nightmare to defend because he keeps his eyes on the field. He can extend plays in the passing game, but he also has the athleticism, strength and running instincts to be able to get the ball in. ball and doing those kinds of things He was going to be the number one pick for a long time I think it’s deserved and that’s one of the things you look at I think he’s a tremendous competitor and we have. his hands full. He’s got some really good players around him and he obviously knows the good coaches around him as well.”
Whether the players around him — especially the offensive linemen — are good enough is another story. Williams had a harder time than Daniels because Williams didn’t have time to operate. And the Bears didn’t have much of a running game either.
The Rams remain wary. And for good reason. This will be their first visit to Soldier Field since a Sunday night in 2018 that saw the Bears throttle LA, 15-6.
“I just wake up sweating every night thinking about it,” McVay said Wednesday. “It was a very humbling night. This league is a very humbling league. It was one of the most humbling nights and they did a great job of being able to come after us. [It] It felt like we were playing fifteen guys on defense that night.
Both teams enter the match 1-2. The Rams pulled off a remarkable victory against the 49ers in Week 3, a result made even more impressive by the numerous injuries the Rams are dealing with. Sunday’s winner comes in at 2-2 and increases their chances of hanging around long enough to make the playoffs.
The loser won’t be done, but 1-3 seems a lot different than 2-2 – especially when the overall talent doesn’t yet compare to the best teams in the conference.
