This year’s NFL rookie class has been hailed as one of the best ever, at least in terms of potential, especially at the quarterback position.
But through two weeks, a few of those quarterbacks are struggling, and it has made some wonder if they’re worthy of any of the hype they have received.
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick out of the University of Southern California, has been described as a generational talent, but he has been shaky to start the season.
His Chicago Bears are 1-1, but they have done a poor job of giving him pass protection, and Courtney Cronin said on “Around the Horn” that he may not “survive through the season.”
Caleb Williams is ‘a little bruised up’ after taking 7 sacks Sunday vs. the Texans.
“He’s not going to survive through the season if he keeps getting hit like that. The Bears have to be able to run the ball to take pressure off the quarterback.” @CourtneyRCronin pic.twitter.com/CY87DfkdD9
— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) September 17, 2024
Through two contests, Williams has completed just 56.1 percent of his pass attempts and thrown zero touchdowns and two interceptions, and he has been sacked nine times, which is the most of any QB league-wide.
He has been lauded for his ability to ad-lib and make something out of nothing, but a poor offensive line is a ton for any rookie signal-caller to overcome, even someone with as much natural talent as Williams.
The Bears have plenty of offensive talent on paper, but their skill players haven’t been getting the job done due to Williams’ poor play and the lack of pass protection he has had.
On the other hand, when he wasn’t pressured in Sunday night’s game against the Houston Texans, he was productive.
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘃𝘀. 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻:
76% Passes Completed
141 Passing Yards
0 INT𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻:
33% Passes Completed
33 Passing Yards
2 INT(Per @PFF) pic.twitter.com/ie6I9tajRu
— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) September 18, 2024
It isn’t easy to upgrade a team’s offensive line in the middle of the season, and it remains to be seen if there is a potential trade out there that would enable Chicago to do just that.
