Over the last quarter-century of Chicago Bears football, you could describe the play of the quarterback position as uninspiring, underwhelming, disappointing, or downright atrocious. But rarely, if ever, has a Bears quarterback been called a “steady presence.” But now, with Caleb Williams in his second NFL season and offensive maestro Ben Johnson in the big seat at Halas Hall, maybe this is something Bears fans should get used to.
By no stretch of the imagination was it a perfect game for Caleb Williams in Chicago’s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but when the Bears needed him most, Caleb did indeed deliver. There were only a couple of plays all game long when the 23-year-old QB put the ball in danger, impressive considering he was under constant fire from a hellacious Silver and Black pass-rush led by All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
That’s why in reaction to the 25-24 win, Chicago Bears legend Olin Kreutz — a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee who protected many of those uninspiring, underwhelming, disappointing and downright atrocious quarterbacks in his 13-year Bears career — couldn’t help but be impressed by the “steady presence” of Caleb Williams.
“When you’re watching this film, he has a steady presence on the team,” Kreutz said during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show. “He’s just making the play, getting out of trouble when he has to, throwing the ball away when he has to… Hang in the pocket, not try to do too much, not throwing crazy interceptions like Geno, just doing the things he needs to do in the system.
“When I watch the game at first, he wasn’t great, but that actually was great what he was doing. Hanging in the system, playing in the pocket, keeping his teammates calm, and when the time comes, I’ll make the plays and we’ll make the plays to win this game.”
Where Does Caleb Williams Rank Among QB’s After Week 4?
Whether it’s the natural progression of a young quarterback, the introduction of a new play-caller and offensive system, or the continued effort to put better weapons around him, there’s no dispute that the Caleb Williams we’re seeing this year is leaps and bounds ahead of the Caleb Williams we saw last year. That’s true based on the eye test, and also based on Williams’ numbers through the first four games of the season.
Caleb Williams, 2025 season per game averages – 231.8 yards per game, 62% completion, 97.8 passer rating, 7.1 yards per attempt, 11.4 yards per completion, 1.75 sacks per game
Caleb Williams, 2024 season per game averages – 208.3 yards per game, 62% completion, 87.8 passer rating, 6.3 yards per attempt, 10.1 yards per completion, 4.0 sacks per game
Currently, Caleb ranks 11th in the NFL in passing yards (927), 3rd in touchdowns (8), 14th in passer rating (97.8), and he’s one of just five quarterbacks in the league with at least 125 pass attempts and two or fewer interceptions.
Olin Kreutz Weighs in on Bears Offensive Line
If you have one of the most well-respected and impactful offensive lineman in Chicago Bears history as a guest on your radio show, you’re obligated to ask him about the state of the Bears offensive line, particularly because it’s been such a talking point dating back to the end of last season.
Ryan Poles made massive changes on the interior of the line in the month of March, but heading into training camp, there was still uncertainty as to who would occupy the left tackle spot to start the season. With steady right tackle Darnell Wright out for Sunday’s game versus Las Vegas, that left both tackle spots in disarray for most of the afternoon, causing Ben Johnson to yank Braxton Jones out, move Theo Benedet over to left tackle and insert rookie 2nd round pick Ozzy Trapilo on the right side of the offensive line.
Kreutz, whose opinion on matters such as this one carries more weight than most others would, gave his take on the matter.
“They’re looking for answers out there on the edges, and Theo Benedet came in and they put Ozzy Trapilo in the game and gave Ozzy a ton of help there with Crosby, which you have to,” Kreutz said. “These guys have to develop, have to get on film, have to get better. I don’t know if you go back to Braxton, I don’t know if you really can. So I think we’re looking at, when Darnell Wright comes back, Theo Benedet is probably your starting left tackle.”
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