(Audacy) The hype is building in Chicago around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears, and everyone across the NFL is taking notice after Williams showed out in preseason action.
On the Audacy Sports podcast “In The Huddle,” NFL insider Brian Baldinger had high praise for Williams and shared his belief that Bears fans should be as optimistic as ever heading into this season.
“The talent is there," Baldinger said. "It’s undeniable. I’ve known that kid since he was in Gonzaga High School. When he was 17 years old, he could tell me how to attack cover 3, how to attack quarters. He understands the game, and he’s got tremendous talent. His arm, it’s a live arm. The ball can come out hot. He can float it. He can layer it. He’s got all of that.”
Williams is a dual-threat quarterback, and he showed his ability to scramble to extend a play on his touchdown run against the Bengals last Saturday. The key will be using that to his advantage and avoiding injury at the NFL level.
“He does have that element to his game,” Baldinger continued. “He can create, he can extend, and his eyes are really, really sharp.”
Not only do the Bears have the No. 1 overall pick ready to go under center, but they have a great group of weapons around him as well. Receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick, will lead the way in the passing game for the Bears.
“If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, you’ve got to be as optimistic as you’ve ever been," Baldinger said. "They’ve never put a receiving corps on the field in Chicago – in 100 years, they’ve never put a receiving corps (on the field) like they have right now. We’ve seen DJ and we’ve seen Rome Odunze make that catch over the shoulder, and we pretty much know what Keenan Allen can do. And you add in Cole Kmet. It’s there to have success.”
The NFC North is tough with the Lions and Packers both making the playoffs last season, but the Bears could take the leap this year.
“You’ve got to be optimistic at this point from what anybody has seen,” Baldinger said. “Full speed ahead. Let’s get it started.”
The Bears visit the Chiefs on Thursday evening for their preseason finale. They'll host the Titans on Sept. 8 in their regular-season opener.