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Caleb Williams has the potential to be not just the savior of the Chicago Bears, but the next face of the franchise and perhaps even the league. However, accomplishing that will require the perfect mix of talent and coaching.
And that is where former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel comes in – at least according to former Philadelphia Eagles scout John Middlekauff. Answering one of the mailbag questions on Wednesday's episode of his podcast "3 and Out", he said:
"I think he's [Mike Vrabel] got Chicago written all over him. ...Ryan Poles, he's a big dude. He's not gonna be intimidated by Vrabel. Two football guys in the trenches," Middlekauff said.
"So I think [they] are a match made in heaven. Like I just think that the culture, the toughness, getting a guy that can just corral Caleb... even if they went 9-8 and they don't get the No. 7 seed, I think he [Matt Eberflus] would be in trouble," he added.
(from 1:55 mark onwards)
Bears QB Caleb Williams looking for improvements in Week 2 versus Texans
The Bears' 2024 schedule is unusual in that they face three interconference opponents to begin the season. After the Titans, it will be the Houston Texans next and then the Indianapolis Colts.
Against the Texans, Caleb Williams will want to fully showcase his potential, especially against a defense that boasts Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. and fast-rising defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. Asked about what he needed to improve on before the game, Williams mentioned his way of dropping back and sitting on his passes (via NBC Sports Chicago):
"...Just trying to hurry up and get the ball to him [Rome Odunze], getting it in his hands as fast as possible so he can make magic and do what he does. Just making sure I'm trusting the drop, trusting the reads and things like that and getting through them. I would say that's probably the biggest thing that I'm focused on."
He also drew comparisons between himself and C.J. Stroud:
"I'm looking at all the teams and things like that and realizing that the job is hard, the NFL is hard. The defense is going to make it tough. That's what they are going to do week in and week out. Comparing that to myself and [Stroud's] rookie year, typically guys coming in they have to figure it out and things like that."
The Bears versus Texans game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium on Sunday.
