LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams wore the look of dejection on his face late Sunday night as he prepared to leave the field at NRG Stadium.
Williams had just taken a beating from the Texans’ prolific pass rush, getting sacked seven times and pressured 36 times in the Bears’ ugly 19-13 loss. Before he headed to the visiting locker room, he was pulled aside by Texans star quarterback C.J. Stroud, who had advice to share.
The clip went viral as the 22-year-old Stroud offered a message to Williams, who's also 22 and didn’t seem particularly interested following a disappointing performance. It set off a storm of commentary online, some of it centered on Williams and his willingness to listen.
Williams is a polarizing figure in the minds of some, but he’s also a rookie quarterback going through this for the first time. Like his peers, Williams is subject to a learning curve that affects rookies as they adapt to the league.
Williams has completed 56.1% of his passes for 267 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions over his first two NFL starts. His much-anticipated debut featured just 93 passing yards and no offensive touchdowns for the Bears in an uninspiring performance. Williams' struggles have come behind an underperforming offensive line and alongside a unit that's struggling in every regard.
As Williams and the Bears look to find their way, it's worth remembering that he isn't the first No. 1 overall pick to scuffle out of the gates as a rookie.
Peyton Manning, one of the all-time greats in NFL history, threw six interceptions and coughed up a fumble across his first two NFL starts. He infamously threw 28 interceptions as the Colts went 3-13 in his rookie season.
Eli Manning, the No. 1 overall pick in 2004, took over as the starter in New York in late November of his rookie season and endured a troubling first two games, over which he completed 39.6% of his passes for 310 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Matthew Stafford, the top selection in 2009, threw for 357 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions in his first two starts, over which he had a 40.5 passer rating. He’s now in year 17 of an illustrious career.
Trevor Lawrence, selected No. 1 overall in 2021, completed 50% of his passes with four touchdowns and five interceptions in his first two starts. His rating was 57.1 in that span.
Stroud's success – he set rookie records in leading the Texans to the playoffs last season – is the outlier for first-year quarterbacks. Most of them have endured early struggles like Williams.
When the Bears (1-1) meet the Colts (0-2) on Sunday in Indianapolis, Williams can accomplish a rare feat at his position. He can become the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall since John Elway (1983) to win two of his first three games. Elway was 10-of-29 for 120 yards and one interception in his first two games.
Williams’ tasks as a rookie are to lead the Bears effectively while also focusing on his own progression. As general manager Ryan Poles put it, Williams should “lean on the talent around him and then when the time is right – and that’s an instinctual thing and I think that plays right into him – that’s when you do the special.”
Longtime NFL observers know it often takes some time for a player to prove he's special. Success is coming in Williams’ future. First, patience is required.
Few options on the O-line
The Bears’ acquisition of versatile offensive lineman Ryan Bates in March was supposed to be a key part of the solution for their struggles up front.
Bates opened training camp by competing for the starting job at center, then shifted to right guard when Nate Davis suffered a groin injury. Bates has played all five spots on the offensive line during his NFL career and is a capable reserve with starter-caliber talent.
But Bates was placed on injured reserve last Saturday as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. A timetable for his recovery isn't clear, and Bates is required to miss at least three more games on injured reserve. Without him, the Bears lost their contingency plan on their struggling line.
Bates could've been the Bears’ starting center in place of Coleman Shelton, won took on that role by default when Bates got injured. A healthy Bates would also be an option to play over Davis, whose inconsistency has been a source of frustration at Halas Hall.
The Bears have few other options to address their offensive woes. Doug Kramer Jr., a sixth-round pick in 2022, has earned praise from the coaching staff but hasn't done enough to earn playing time. Bill Murray, a fifth-year reserve, has also drawn compliments from the coaches but likely will remain a backup.
The Bears will evaluate the free-agent market, as they always do, but any player still available there isn’t likely an answer for a starting role.
Simply put, the Bears must continue to develop the starting offensive line they have and hope it’s enough.
Quote to note
“You sign up for this position. You sign up for games like that. (The Texans were) a playoff team last year, and to be down six with a chance to go win with the ball in your hands, that’s all you can ask for. Obviously, the defense played great, special teams did well, and offense, we got a touchdown in there. We’re going to need more, obviously. But it felt great to be in the game, be in that type of game, that type of environment. I’m excited for more. I know the team is excited for more, and getting back here, getting back with the guys, I couldn’t be more excited.” – Williams
Emma’s prediction (2-0): Bears 23, Colts 16
While the Bears are the underdog, this matchup favors them on both sides of the football. Chicago’s defense will dictate the game against Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor and Indianapolis’ offense, while Williams and D’Andre Swift will do enough to move the football efficiently.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.