Bears Legend Praises the ‘Steady Presence’ of Caleb Williams in Week 4 Win
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It wasn't a perfect performance, but Caleb Williams came through when the Chicago Bears needed him most on Sunday afternoon
Over the last quarter-century of Chicago Bears football, you could describe the play of the quarterback position as uninspiring, underwhelming, disappointing, or downright atrocious. But rarely, if ever, has a Bears quarterback been called a “steady presence.” But now, with Caleb Williams in his second NFL season and offensive maestro Ben Johnson in the big seat at Halas Hall, maybe this is something Bears fans should get used to.
By no stretch of the imagination was it a perfect game for Caleb Williams in Chicago’s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but when the Bears needed him most, Caleb did indeed deliver. There were only a couple of plays all game long when the 23-year-old QB put the ball in danger, impressive considering he was under constant fire from a hellacious Silver and Black pass-rush led by All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
That’s why in reaction to the 25-24 win, Chicago Bears legend Olin Kreutz — a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee who protected many of those uninspiring, underwhelming, disappointing and downright atrocious quarterbacks in his 13-year Bears career — couldn’t help but be impressed by the “steady presence” of Caleb Williams.
“When you’re watching this film, he has a steady presence on the team,” Kreutz said during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show. “He’s just making the play, getting out of trouble when he has to, throwing the ball away when he has to… Hang in the pocket, not try to do too much, not throwing crazy interceptions like Geno, just doing the things he needs to do in the system.
“When I watch the game at first, he wasn’t great, but that actually was great what he was doing. Hanging in the system, playing in the pocket, keeping his teammates calm, and when the time comes, I’ll make the plays and we’ll make the plays to win this game.”
Where Does Caleb Williams Rank Among QB’s After Week 4?
Whether it’s the natural progression of a young quarterback, the introduction of a new play-caller and offensive system, or the continued effort to put better weapons around him, there’s no dispute that the Caleb Williams we’re seeing this year is leaps and bounds ahead of the Caleb Williams we saw last year. That’s true based on the eye test, and also based on Williams’ numbers through the first four games of the season.
Caleb Williams, 2025 season per game averages – 231.8 yards per game, 62% completion, 97.8 passer rating, 7.1 yards per attempt, 11.4 yards per completion, 1.75 sacks per game
Caleb Williams, 2024 season per game averages – 208.3 yards per game, 62% completion, 87.8 passer rating, 6.3 yards per attempt, 10.1 yards per completion, 4.0 sacks per game
Currently, Caleb ranks 11th in the NFL in passing yards (927), 3rd in touchdowns (8), 14th in passer rating (97.8), and he’s one of just five quarterbacks in the league with at least 125 pass attempts and two or fewer interceptions.
Olin Kreutz Weighs in on Bears Offensive Line
If you have one of the most well-respected and impactful offensive lineman in Chicago Bears history as a guest on your radio show, you’re obligated to ask him about the state of the Bears offensive line, particularly because it’s been such a talking point dating back to the end of last season.
Ryan Poles made massive changes on the interior of the line in the month of March, but heading into training camp, there was still uncertainty as to who would occupy the left tackle spot to start the season. With steady right tackle Darnell Wright out for Sunday’s game versus Las Vegas, that left both tackle spots in disarray for most of the afternoon, causing Ben Johnson to yank Braxton Jones out, move Theo Benedet over to left tackle and insert rookie 2nd round pick Ozzy Trapilo on the right side of the offensive line.
Kreutz, whose opinion on matters such as this one carries more weight than most others would, gave his take on the matter.
They’re looking for answers out there on the edges, and Theo Benedet came in and they put Ozzy Trapilo in the game and gave Ozzy a ton of help there with Crosby, which you have to,” Kreutz said. “These guys have to develop, have to get on film, have to get better. I don’t know if you go back to Braxton, I don’t know if you really can. So I think we’re looking at, when Darnell Wright comes back, Theo Benedet is probably your starting left tackle.
Former Broncos Coach Offers Polarizing QB Comparison for Bo Nix
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Denver Broncos will hit the road in Week 5 to take on the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and one of their coaches dropped a noteworthy take on second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix was the No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 draft, and he had a record-setting season with the Broncos as a rookie.
But Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sees shades of another QB in Nix.
Eagles DC Vic Fangio Compares Bo Nix to Baker Mayfield
Fangio helped the Eagles boast the No. 1 overall defense and the second-ranked scoring unit in 2024 en route to the Super Bowl. This season, Fangio’s Eagles are 22nd and 15th in those categories, respectively, but remain a threat that Nix and the Broncos cannot overlook.
They certainly are not overlooking Nix.
“He’s a lot like Baker Mayfield. I think he might be Baker’s younger brother. Really good. Really, really good,” Fangio told reporters on September 30.
“He’s a scrambler. He’s a competitor. He’ll throw the ball in tight places. He runs their offense really well. I think Sean’s done a great job bringing him along, and they got their quarterback for the future. They looked long and hard for many years and have got one.”
The Broncos need Nix to avoid the type of mistakes Mayfield endured against the Eagles.
The comparison is noteworthy, given Mayfield rallied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back from a multiple-score deficit against the Eagles in Week 4. The Buccaneers fell short, losing to the Eagles 31-25, but Mayfield clearly left a strong impression on Fangio.
Mayfield, 30, completed 55% of his passes for 289 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in that game.
The Broncos surely hope for a more efficient performance from Nix in Week 5.
Baker Mayfield a Polarizing Comparison for Bo Nix
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field after a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns, 11 slots earlier than the Broncos selected Nix seven classes later. The Buccaneers’ QB was more productive than Nix as a passer in their respective rookie seasons, and in three fewer games.
However, Nix had the edge in rushing production and winning percentage.
Where the comparison gets most interesting, though, is in how Mayfield’s career went after that and how the Broncos hope to avoid a similar fate with Nix, who also has had critical turnovers.
Mayfield is in his third season with the Buccaneers, but they are his fourth NFL team. He spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams between tenures with the Browns and, now, the Buccaneers.
Broncos Can Get Payback Against Vic Fangio
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Fangio is now in his second season with the Eagles and 25th season as an NFL coach, and he spent three of those in the big chair with the Broncos. After the Broncos, Fangio joined the Miami Dolphins as DC.
It was there that Fangio was part of a lopsided, 70-20 Broncos loss in 2023.
The Broncos still have Vance Joseph in place as DC, just as they did in 2023, and they ranked third in scoring defense and seventh overall last season while leading the NFL in sacks.
Denver leads the NFL in sacks again, with 15 through four weeks. The Broncos also rank second in scoring defense and are 10th overall. Of course, Nix and the Broncos’ offense (ninth overall and 16th in scoring) must also do their job.
A complete reversal of the previous outcome is as unlikely as a repeat performance.
Still, the Broncos can exact some revenge against Fangio, however minor, and despite facing the Eagles and not the Dolphins, with a win in Week 5.
