After two Chicago Bear preseason games, the broader football world is seeing some things that make former USC Trojans quarterback a truly special player. From escaping pass rushers and making off-platform throws to his knack for connecting on explosive plays downfield.
One would think that winning the Heisman trophy and being drafted #1 overall would afford Williams some benefit of the doubt, but many an NFL fan has been burned by players with those resumes before.
Although it is a small sample size, it appears that what made Williams special at USC will translate to the NFL. And this has caused a national stir, attracting attention from national media, fans, and other players. Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Tyreek Hill is among those with piqued interest.
Tyreek Hill Compares Caleb Williams to…
He could be referring to his current Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but it is far likelier that Hill is bringing back a comp that has existed since Williams’ time with the USC Trojans, Patrick Mahomes.
And the comparison isn’t without merit. Williams made an incredible on-the-move throw to connect with fellow first-round rookie, Rome Odunze for 45 yards that eventually set up an incredible scrambling touchdown run for Williams.
But some of Caleb Williams’ red flags from the USC Trojans are still evident. The first drive was a microcosm of one. The Bears called two short high-percentage throws for Williams on the first two plays of the game. Williams missed both. He was high on a short pass to his left to Keenan Allen and then he threw it behind Gerald Everett on a short pass to his right.
Later, on the touchdown drive he overthrew Everett after scrambling away from a well-designed Cincinnati Bengals pressure. Williams opted to throw on the run rather than resetting his feet, increasing his chances of making a more accurate throw.
Williams finished the day with a subpar 46 completion percentage, 5.8 yards per catch, and a 64.6 quarterback rating.
