A number of Chicago Bears gamers insisted all through the summer time that considerations associated to the alleged “Hollywood” character of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had been downright foolish.
For a prolonged piece produced by The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns that was revealed on Friday, Williams’ teammates praised the 22-year-old’s maturity and management qualities forward of Chicago’s Week 1 recreation versus the Tennessee Titans this Sunday.
“He acts like he’s been right here,” Bears defensive sort out Andrew Billings mentioned about Williams. “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 apply. If all the pieces doesn’t go nicely, like what does he do? Some guys are like, ‘Oh, man.’ Can they go to the subsequent play? He goes to the subsequent play very nicely.”
Williams entered March as the highest prospect on many draft boards due to his simple bodily skills and his on-the-field accomplishments. Nevertheless, some ranked signal-caller Jayden Daniels forward of Williams as a result of they believed that Daniels “loves soccer extra” and “has higher wiring” than the USC Trojans star, who final season cried in his mom’s arms in the stands following a loss and has painted his fingernails every so often.
The Bears ignored such takes and fortunately made Williams the draft’s first selection in April. Teammates reminiscent of Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards appear thrilled that Williams will lead the Bears into battle this Sunday as their QB1.
“I like when folks are available, regardless of who they’re, rookies or a vet that signed, and so they’re really themselves,” Edwards mentioned. “For somebody to come back in, particularly first-round choose, all that hype, I don’t know what that appears like — he simply got here in and has been himself. He’s a optimistic dude, which I actually like. … It’s simple to need to are available and attempt to match this mildew or narrative. He’s simply himself, and that’s the perfect half.”
As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams because the betting favourite at +135 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Award this season. That similar guide had the Bears at -110 odds to make the playoffs.
Williams is seemingly doing nicely to dam out such hype forward of the Titans recreation.
“He simply looks like he’s a part of the blokes,” security Kevin Byard added about Williams. “…I feel he’s doing a great job bonding with the whole staff and never simply his offensive line or his working backs or receivers. He’s hanging with the defensive guys, we’re all hanging out at the back of the bus making jokes. You simply don’t usually see that from a rookie who simply obtained right into a place the place he’s round a variety of veteran guys, who’s round guys who’ve made a variety of performs on this league.”
Williams hasn’t been shy about clapping again at critics for the reason that spring and can now look to have his play converse for itself starting with Sunday’s house showdown with the Titans at Soldier Discipline.
