Tom Brady drops honest advice for Bears QB Caleb Williams to build on his promising rookie season

Chicago Bears’ prized rookie quarterback Caleb Williams finds himself at a crossroads following a promising yet inconsistent debut season in the NFL. While the former Heisman Trophy winner dazzled with flashes of brilliance, there’s major scope for maximizing his potential in the coming seasons. That’s how even Tom Brady assesses Williams’ debut season at the highest level.

While speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the seven-time Super Bowl champion emphasized the dynamic nature of quarterback development in modern-day NFL.

“For any player, and Caleb in particular, he’s a young player, there’s a lot of room for growth,” Brady said. “It’s really up to him to decide where he wants to spend his time and energy to become the player that he wants to be.”

Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, concluded his rookie season with a respectable 3,541 passing yards, ranking 17th among quarterbacks, and threw 20 touchdown passes, tying for 15th. He also demonstrated his dual-threat ability, rushing for 489 yards and six scores.

Williams' six interceptions were notably low, tying for 78th, reflecting a commendable level of ball security for a first-year player. However, his QBR of 46.7 placed him 28th, indicating areas ripe for improvement.

The Bears’ offensive line struggles didn't help Williams' case as he watched them allow a staggering 68 sacks, setting a franchise record. Williams himself was responsible for 15.5 of these sacks, highlighting the need for both improved protection schemes and quicker decision-making.

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Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson partnership key to Chicago Bears’ success in the next decade

The Bears’ recent hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach brings a renewed sense of optimism. Before joining the Bears, Johnson was the former offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and transformed their offense into one of the league’s most potent. Known for developing quarterbacks and revamping offenses, Johnson’s influence could be transformative.

During his introductory press conference, Johnson referred to the Bears as a “sleeping giant” and expressed enthusiasm about working with Williams, stating that the offense will be tailored to enhance his development.

As Williams continues to sharpen his skillset, Brady pinpointed specific areas where the Bears quarterback could elevate his game.

“How do I become a better pocket passer? How do I improve the footwork in my pocket? How can I become more durable? How can I be a little bit stronger in the pocket?” Brady questioned, sharing insights from his own self-reflective process during his career.

After all, Brady is a firm believer of striking a fine balance between physical preparation and mental fortitude to achieve ultimate greatness.

“When those things [physical, mental, emotional readiness] caught up to what I was doing… I became the type of player that I wanted to be,” Brady explained.

With a brand new system in place and Brady’s blueprint as inspiration, Williams has no shortage of motivation heading into the offseason. If his rookie flashes are any indication, Williams has the neccesary resources to rewrite Chicago’s quarterback narrative—and perhaps even their history.