Despite entering the NFL with lofty expectations, Caleb Williams has yet to live up to the hype.
Still, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft is going to get the opportunity to figure it out on the field, with Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus announcing that Williams will remain his team’s starting quarterback moving forward.
“Caleb is our starter,” Eberflus told reporters on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
#Bears coach Matt Eberflus says there will be changes after three straight losses but still evaluating and “everything is on the table” — with one exception. No change at QB.
“Caleb is our starter.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 11, 2024
Eberflus’ announcement comes one day after Williams completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts for 120 yards in a 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots. On the season, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner has completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions — numbers hardly indicative of the sizable hype he entered the league with following a storied college career at Oklahoma and USC.
While benching Williams might not necessarily give the Bears a better chance of winning games — Tyson Bagent currently serves as the team’s top backup quarterback — it could give him the opportunity to catch his breath and mentally reset amid a chaotic rookie season. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old will remain Chicago’s starting quarterback moving forward, with the Bears set to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.