Joe Whitt Jr. is aware that Caleb Williams’s play is improving.
It was no secret that the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback struggled the first two weeks of the season. However, after seven weeks (six games), Williams has gotten more comfortable and gained confidence, and the Bears are now 4-2.
“Caleb, he’s a very talented young man,” Whitt said. “You see why he was regarded the way that he’s regarded coming out. I have the same respect for him.”
Last week, the Washington defense could dial up blitzes and come after the Panthers’ Andy Dalton and pretty much know where he was going to be. Dalton simply does not possess the mobility of Williams. Whitt knows his challenge is much greater this week.
“He can throw the ball from the pocket; he can throw it on a move. His arm contortion, where he can get the ball out from different angles, is really impressive. He can escape inside and outside. When he sets his feet, he can make any throw in the book. So, he’s a talented young player that’s going to be good for a long time in this league.”
The Bears certainly have the weapons for Williams and the offense to excel. The receivers group is loaded with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. Also, Whitt knows what running back D’Andre Swift is accomplishing, averaging rushing for 54 yards per game and receiving 32 yards a game.
“Well, every game you’re going to have eligibles that are premium players, and they have a number of them…a lot of respect for those eligibles. And so, we have to just do a good job…they run the screens as good as anybody in football. So, we have to make sure that we do a great job of leveraging the screens play by 11 men. We have to set the edges inside, out.”
Seeing the Washington offense will most likely be without Jayden Daniels, if Whitt’s defense could generate two or three turnovers that would be very helpful as well.