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Caleb Williams needs his speed directed in another direction

Sports Illustrated's profile
Original Story by Sports Illustrated
September 11, 2025
Caleb Williams needs his speed directed in another direction

Context:

Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears quarterback, showcased impressive speed during a recent game but struggled with inconsistencies in the passing game, raising concerns about his fundamentals and decision-making. Coach Ben Johnson emphasizes the need for Williams to improve basic skills and decision-making speed, focusing on footwork and ball release timing. Despite a decrease in sack rates, Williams' performance was marred by pre-snap penalties and passing inaccuracies, which he acknowledges as areas for improvement. Williams recognizes the importance of decisiveness and trust in his coaches and teammates as he aims to mature and adapt to a new offensive scheme. Coach Johnson remains confident in Williams' potential, noting his willingness to learn and improve, while stressing the urgency of these developments for future success.

Dive Deeper:

  • Caleb Williams displayed remarkable speed, clocked at 20.45 mph during a scramble, ranking as the eighth-fastest run in the NFL's Week 1, yet his passing game suffered from significant inconsistencies.

  • Coach Ben Johnson highlights the importance of refining basic quarterback skills, emphasizing the need for Williams to expedite his decision-making process and improve his footwork to reduce inaccuracies.

  • Williams' passing struggles were evident as he completed only 11 out of 25 attempts following a strong start, with careless mistakes attributed to fundamental errors like footwork and timing.

  • Acknowledging his role in the team's pre-snap penalties, Williams is focused on improving communication and cadence in the huddle to prevent such issues in future games.

  • Despite a lower sack rate compared to previous performances, Williams' high percentage of bad throws is a concern, with Coach Johnson working on improving his consistency and accuracy under pressure.

  • Williams understands the need for trust and decisiveness in his play, aiming to leverage his strengths and maintain composure to effectively lead the offense.

  • Coach Johnson is optimistic about Williams' development, praising his coachability and dedication to self-improvement, but stresses the need for these advancements to occur rapidly to ensure team success.

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