The Chicago Bears’ season has quickly turned into a disappointment, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is at the center of the scrutiny. What was supposed to be a year full of promise has been marred by underperformance, especially from the highly anticipated No. 1 draft pick. Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden recently weighed in with his candid thoughts on Williams’ struggles.
Jon Gruden Offers Candid Assessment of Caleb Williams
During a recent appearance on the *Pardon My Take* podcast, Jon Gruden had this to say about Williams’ potential:
“Caleb Williams is going to be an outstanding player—unless the Bears mess it up,” Gruden remarked. “He’s a unique talent. But right now, he needs support, especially from his coach and the team’s leadership. I’m not sure what kind of leadership the Bears have. They seem to be searching for an identity, but they need to figure it out fast. The key is to keep supporting Caleb, challenge him, and help him grow through this.”
Gruden’s comments highlight the frustrations surrounding the Bears’ coaching and organizational structure. Despite being touted as the next Patrick Mahomes, Williams’ confidence seems to be waning on the field. And Gruden blames the coaching staff for not creating the right environment for him to succeed. He draws parallels to the Bears’ handling of Justin Fields, where an overemphasis on minimizing mistakes may have stunted his growth—and is now doing the same to Williams.
The Key Issue: Caleb’s Playmaking Struggles
When asked about what stood out to him in the tape, Gruden pointed to one major issue:
“There’s too much Caleb right now. He’s been hit 40 times and sacked 40 times. He needs to get rid of the ball faster,” Gruden said. “Sometimes, the best decision is just to throw it away. I think Caleb’s waiting for his receivers to make plays, and it’s hurting him. A lot of those sacks are on the quarterback holding the ball too long.”
While the Bears’ offensive line and receiving corps have certainly underperformed, Gruden acknowledged that part of the blame lies with Williams. As frustrating as it can be for a quarterback, sometimes the best option is to live to fight another play. Holding onto the ball too long leads to negative plays, like the 11-yard sacks that stifle offensive momentum.
It’s tough to throw the ball away when you know that’s not what fans or coaches want to see, but in the NFL, holding the ball for too long in the pocket is a recipe for disaster. With new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown now in the fold, there’s hope that he can help Williams refocus and get the Bears’ offense back on track.
