Caleb Williams shot down the notion that the Chicago Bears’ offensive line should bear the brunt of the criticism for the team’s offensive struggles.
The Bears’ season started promisingly with Chicago winning four of its first six games, losing only to the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. After a heartbreaking loss to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 27, the Bears went on to lose nine straight, coming into the final game of the 2024 NFL season on a 10-game losing skid.
Throughout the season, Williams became the most-sacked quarterback in the league, having been brought down 67 times. The difference between Williams and second-placed C.J. Stroud is 15 sacks, which is the same as Stroud and No. 11 Aaron Rodgers (37).
Considering how easily Williams has been brought down this season, many have pointed fingers at the offensive line. However, the rookie quarterback vehemently shot down the notion his offensive line is solely to blame for the struggles the team faced this season.
“I will say that there’s been, yes, everybody gives up sacks, everybody messes up, everybody misses a block, everybody drops a pass, everybody throws a pick,” Williams told reporters. “I got six, and I got a couple of fumbles and things like that.
“So the connotation behind my offense line has been annoying and frustrating because they work their tail off to be able to go out there. And the guys that whether, guys are fighting injuries, whether guys can’t play and we got other guys stepping up or whether guys have been playing the whole season.”
Williams added that he should also be blamed for the amount of sacks he has taken. In particular, the 23-year-old acknowledged that he oftentimes gets himself in trouble as well, explaining that he needs to stop trying to find the “perfect route” and “perfect play.”
As such, he should not be devoid of the blame that’s placed on his offensive line. “So like I said, and I don’t misjudge words, the stupid connotation behind my offensive line being bad is not the truth,” the signal caller said. “I’ve taken a good amount of sacks that have been on my fault, been my fault.
“And a couple throughout that last game were mine, like the one in empty where I believe, I’m trying to remember what number, sacked me, but didn’t make the easy flipper check. … So there’s been many times this season where, yes, people have given up sacks, sure, and then myself is completely a part of that.”
With the Bears struggling this season, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky explained that Williams appeared to be too hesitant about the consequences of making the wrong play. On X, Orlovsky said as much.
“One of my biggest concern with Calebs rookie season is it looks like coaches have coached his aggression away – hes far too cautious with ball for his arm talent,” he said. “Next coach has to rebuild his mindset imo. See it, Trust it, Rip it.”
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