CHICAGO (WGN) — As a disappointing rookie season comes to a close, Caleb Williams staunchly defended the play of his offensive line Wednesday, while claiming he’s ready for whatever responsibility the Chicago Bears front office gives him in their search for a new head coach.
“I think throughout this year there’s been a … stupid, excuse my language, but a stupid idea behind my offensive linemen,” Williams said. “Yes, everybody gives up sacks. Everybody messes up. Everybody misses a block. Everybody drops a pass. Everybody throws a pick. I got six. I’ve got a couple fumbles and things like that.
“The connotation behind my offensive line has been annoying and frustrating because they work their tail off to be able to go out there, whether guys are fighting injuries, or guys can’t play and we got other guys stepping up, or whether guys have been playing all season … I’ve taken sacks, yes, and a good amount have been on me.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick pointed toward needing to do the small things better. Williams said throwing the ball out of bounds, “dirting it” (throwing the ball into the ground), and finding the check down more often are all ways he could do a better job of avoiding sacks.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Bears have given up the most sacks in the NFL (67) and Williams is the league’s most-sacked quarterback by a wide margin. Williams has taken all 67 of Chicago’s sacks this season, while the next closest quarterback is the Houston Texans’ CJ Stroud, who has been sacked 52 times so far this year.
“It’s a matter of getting better at a multitude of things. It’s getting better with throwing the ball out of bounds. there’s been many times where my right arm was free and I can chuck it out instead of trying to make a play,” Williams said. “There’s been many times where a free guy comes and that happens. Then getting better at just not trying to hold it in there. I may see space and try to rip a pass instead of just finding the check down.
“Those are just two examples of reasons why, but definitely something to go back and reflect on and learn and come back whether it’s this game or next year and be better at that.”
Williams is 330-for-533 with 3,393 yards passing, 19 TD passes and 6 interceptions with one game remaining this season. The Bears take on the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field, with kickoff set for noon CT.
Williams and the search for the Bears next head coach
Williams was also asked about the influence he wants to have in the hiring process of the Bears’ next head coach during his weekly media availability at Halas Hall Wednesday.
“Whatever, I guess, they allow. I know that I’m a rookie and a young guy so, if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make decisions and make those types of decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, [I’ll] just hope and believe and [have] faith that those guys upstairs, they make the right decisions. That’s that and if I’m a part of it, then great.”
Wednesday, Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell reported that if Chicago were to pursue Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, he would likely push to work with a general manager not named Ryan Poles.
According to Campbell, Johnson would like to work with Washington Commanders’ assistant general manager Lance Newmark, who was the Lions’ senior director of player personnel and oversaw Detroit’s college and pro scouting operations during Johnson’s first two seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
Campbell said his team sources told him that creates reservations for Poles and motivate him to pursue Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who shares a history with Poles. The two played college football together at Boston College and Flores is a top candidate for the job too.