The Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick they received from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers drafted Bryce Young in 2023, and the Bears also got the opportunity to get their new franchise quarterback despite not being bad enough to get the first overall pick themselves in 2024.
At the time the Bears drafted Williams, many thought the Panthers made a blunder by trading both picks and DJ Moore to draft Young. This could still prove to be true, but as of now, the Bears quarterback has had an identical start to his NFL career as Young, who has faced a lot of criticism.
Fans React to Caleb Williams Having Similar Stats as Bryce Young
Through his first nine career starts, Young threw for 1,683 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions, completing 62.1% of his throws with a passer rating of 74.7 while getting sacked 36 times.
In comparison, Williams has thrown for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions, completing 60.5% of his throws with a passer rating of 81.0 while getting sacked 38 times.
As evidenced by the stats, both quarterbacks have had the same start to their careers. It’s hard to imagine that the Bears’ offensive line has been worse than the Panthers’ from last season, but it’s unfortunately the reality.
Both quarterbacks looked phenomenal in college. However, due to circumstances beyond their control, they have failed to make an immediate impact in the NFL. Williams and Young have not played well, but the fans believe that both organizations deserve the blame for their quarterbacks’ poor performances.
Here’s how fans reacted to these comparisons on Reddit:
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“It’s more of an indictment on how like half the organizations in the NFL are being run into the ground because of shi**y coaching and ownership. History will prove these quarterbacks were NEVER given a chance,” said one fan.
Another fan added, “The Bears bringing back [head coach Matt Eberflus] was such a shocking move that time will only make it look worse.”
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“Neither had much of an O-line, you can’t put a rookie quarterback in front of a dissolving line and expect him to work miracles.” said another fan.
“The Bears’ two biggest problems are their completely dysfunctional coaching situation and their horrid O-Line.” wrote another fan.
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Young got sacked 62 times in his rookie season, and based on how the Bears’ offensive line has looked so far, Williams could easily surpass that number. As per Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson, Chicago has the league’s 24th-best offensive line, and its quarterback has been sacked the most this year.
The USC product does have better players around him than the Panthers quarterback did, but the Bears’ poor coaching has been a huge problem. They recently fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron with hopes that interim OC Thomas Brown could provide some spark to the rookie and the rest of the offense.
Bears Have To Make Some Tough Decisions for Williams’ Development
If the Bears want to see Williams become the superstar he was touted to be entering the NFL, they need to make some tough decisions. Although they have already fired Waldron, they also need a new head coach.
Many believe that Matt Eberflus should have never returned this season, and these nine games this year have proved that the team needs a change. Getting an offensive-minded head coach should be the priority for Bears’ General Manager Ryan Poles, as a coach on Williams’ side of the ball can bring the best out of him.
Chicago has never made a coaching change during the season, and they are unlikely to do that this year. But, once the season is over, they need to go all in and bring a head coach, preferably someone like Ben Johnson or Kliff Kingsbury.
If the Bears ruin Williams, as they have done with other quarterbacks, it will be hard to believe that they can ever get the right quarterback for them.