Everyone has something to say about Caleb Williams, the rookie quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Bears Wire picked up a set of NFL predictions from Sports Illustrated NFL analyst Conor Orr. One of his predictions for Caleb Williams is as follows:
“A 65% completion rate, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 3,727 yards. Williams will finish a very close second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and win at least seven games. The hallmark of his rookie season will be a few critical throws he makes under duress, taking hard hits as he releases the ball and dispelling some of the predraft narratives on the No. 1 pick.”
One would have to think that if Caleb Williams produces those specific numbers across the board, the Bears will win at least nine games, not seven, given how good their defense is. If Caleb has a 2-to-1 touchdown-interception ratio with nearly 4,000 passing yards and a mid-60s completion rate, that would significantly raise the bar for the Bears at the quarterback position. Keep in mind that Caleb throwing 26 touchdown passes would not include his rushing touchdowns or any rushing touchdowns the Bears generate. Maybe if the interceptions were slightly lower, at eight or nine, the nine-win projection would feel a little safer. Still: These numbers are likely numbers Bears fans would love.
On this episode of Football Night in Chicago, Laurence Holmes is joined by Bears insider Josh Schrock to discuss the expectations for Caleb Williams this season.
Schrock talks about whether playoff expectations for the team are unfair to Williams and if he should be expected to match what CJ Stroud did last season in the NFL.