LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WGN) — After showing promise in a heartbreaking loss to a divisional rival a week ago, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is about to face the Minnesota Vikings and Brian Flores’s blitz-happy defense for the first time.
Is he ready for the challenge?
“He’s the king of cover zero blitz and finding a bunch of different ways to do it,” Williams said of the Vikings defensive coordinator. “They’ll switch it up and just fly [Harrison Smith] out from two yards away from me, and fly him all the way back to the safety and things like that.
“So you know, us being decisive, us having a plan for all of that. And then from there, get the ball to your playmakers, run the ball well and efficiently.”
Heading into Week 12, Minnesota has blitzed more often and at a higher rate on QB dropbacks than any other team in the NFL.
Per Pro Football Reference, Flores has sent the blitz 157 times (11 more times than the second place Broncos, despite Denver playing one more game) and blitzes on a blistering 37.7% of QB dropbacks, leading to pressuring QBs a league-high 29.6% of the time.
In his weekly Wednesday press conference, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said their offensive plan “is clean, it’s defined and we’re working through that process right now.”
If it mirrors the game plan interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown had against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11, Chicago’s M.O. should be the quick passing game.
Williams’ average time-to-throw in Week 11 was 2.77 seconds, his fastest of the season. Against the blitz, he went 8-for-10 with 87 yards on 12 dropbacks, earning a 94.5 offensive grade and a 92.0 passing grade from Pro Football Focus.
“[Williams] natural ability is to get the ball out fast,” Eberflus said. “Some players don’t have that ability, right? They take it, their release is slow, but his is very fast.”
Eberflus said recognition and identification pre-snap are other factors that have helped Williams beat the blitz, but when you combine the two with his quick release, it allowed him to consistently succeed under pressure last week.
Williams said he hopes to continue the trend Sunday and in doing so, quick execution also leads explosive plays.
“When you’re able to hit explosive plays, or when you’re able to get the ball out and be decisive when they’re sending all these different exotic blitzes and things like that, I think it affects the play caller on the other side and you’ve got to find other ways to attack,” Williams said.
Injury news and the return of familiar faces
D’Andre Swift was held out of practice with a groin injury Wednesday, while Teven Jenkins reappeared at practice in a limited fashion as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
“[D’Andre Swift] is out today, giving that another day of rest,” Eberflus said. “We’ll see where that goes as we work into tomorrow.”
Kiran Amegadjie (calf), Ryan Bates (concussion) and Elijah Hicks (ankle) rounded out the group of players held out of practice Wednesday.
Eberflus also announced Collin Johnson was signed and added to the 53-man roster, while safety Adrian Colbert was officially signed to the practice squad.
Johnson and Colbert were both prominently featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears. Johnson grabbed attention after a two-touchdown catch performance during the preseason, and Colbert won fans over with his kind demeanor and perspective on life.
Up Next
The Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field Sunday, with kickoff set for noon CT.