The Chicago Bears may be on a bye this week, but there has been plenty to talk about. Fans have a golden matchup awaiting them in Week 8, and the chatter began as soon as Week 6 ended.
Once the Bears are off their bye week, they'll begin preparing for a an away tilt against the Washington Commanders, which the league has already flexed into the late afternoon window because of the quarterback matchup.
It's going to be Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels taking center stage; the no. 1 and no. 2 overall picks from this year's draft. Both have been playing excellent football as of late. Both teams are sitting at 4-2.
This couldn't be a more exciting matchup for fans, and we're all hoping it lives up to the billing.
Of course, the biggest topic over the next week or so is going to be that of Williams and Daniels. The latter started his season on a hotter note, while it took Williams a couple of games to get going. But, once Williams found his rhythm, it's been constant improvement.
Now, obviously, the simple minds wil continue to debate things like Caleb over Jayden, or vice versa. Why can't we just enjoy the fact that both quarterbacks are having outstanding rookie seasons and look to be faces of the league for many years to come?
Because, we're die-hard fans, and this is what we do, apparently.
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Well, for those fans who are looking for reason why Williams has been better, or more encouraging than Daniels, look no further. We've found the best example of why the Bears definitively made the best decision drafting Williams first overall.
Caleb Williams' early success is far more sustainable than Jayden Daniels'
This isn't to take anything away from Daniels, because he has been phenomenal. And, to be frank, my hope is that he continues to play very well and for a long time.
But, looking at the below graphic, you can see where Williams is already far more of an NFL-ready quarterback, doing veteran things like working through progressions and not simply focusing on his first read.
How often QBs have thrown to their first read and their EPA on those plays pic.twitter.com/vqKt4Q2jyc
— Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball) October 16, 2024
Look at how far up Daniels' name is on this graphic. There is simply no way it's sustainable for him to continue going to his first read. For right now, it's working. But, NFL defenses are smart. They are going to figure him out and they'll do it very soon.
Williams, meanwhile, has shown an innate ability to extend plays and throw defenders for a loop with his eyes and body movement. Remember that second touchdown pass to D.J. Moore against Carolina just a couple of weeks ago? That was a perfect example of Williams looking off defensive backs and moving them like puppets so that he could put the ball where he wanted it.
Daniels has done a lot of first-read work and dump-offs thus far. Played correctly by the defense, this type of pattern will be squashed in no time. All defenses have to do is start paying closer attention to where Daniels' eyes are going from the snap, and it becomes easy pickings for an opportunistic defense.
That's the other aspect, here. Neither quarterback has faced an elite defense just yet, which is going to be a difference in this one. The Bears are a great defense, while Washington is toward the bottom of the league.
In any event, this is going to be a fun matchup and, Bears fans can rest assured, their team has the better quarterback, period.