Chicago Bears fans are far more used to hearing the national media dunk on their team, for years on end, than they are listening to positive takes on this franchise. It had become so ordinary, even during the years when Chicago was somewhat competitive, that Bears fans knew it to be their norm.
So, when Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd really got going on his anti-Caleb Williams campaign a couple of years ago, it wasn't surprising. It was especially unsurprising considering the source. Cowherd is known for being a hot take artist.
But, if you fast forward to present day, Cowherd's full 180 on Williams might have reached an indefensible level, even for Bears fans. Recently, he put Williams all the way up at no. 3 in his quarterback rankings, just behind Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Colin Cowherd's total 180 on Caleb Williams isn't going to fool Bears fans
This is not just a total turnaround from where he started on Williams, but it's gotten to the point where he's doing this shtick for the viewership.
And, again, that shouldn't surprise anybody. That's what he does. It's all about the viewership and entertainment/conversational aspects.
Now, on the other hand, Bears fans have to love the fact that he's come this far. After all, Cowherd's anti-Williams takes were fairly convincing and also came out in bunches. You can go all the way back to pre-draft even before Williams was a Bear.
Cowherd infamously put out a report that Williams and his camp were "anti-Chicago" prior to the 2024 NFL Draft. Then, he walked back those sentiments.
Ah, yes ... the ultimate flip flopper. But, his anti-Williams comments were just getting started.
Over a year later, and after Williams' rookie season, Cowherd vehemently argued that Ben Johnson and Williams' pairing would not work.
"I don't think this marriage is gonna work. I think Caleb may work somewhere, but this head coach did not draft this quarterback," he said on the air.
He claimed Johnson would "struggle to fix" Williams ... as if Williams needed fixing after just one season in the league.
Just a couple of months before kickoff for Williams' third season, Cowherd calls him the third-best quarterback in the NFL. I'm not really sure what to make of that assessment.
Bears fans could use this ranking as total validation, but anyone in their right mind would admit this is incredibly high for Williams. Number 3? Not yet. Not over the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, etc.
It's nice to finally hear national media speak positively about the Bears. Truly, it is. It's been a long time coming. Most Bears fans probably have to pinch themselves when the media mentions them as a contender, hypes Luther Burden/Colston Loveland, praises Williams, or offers any other pro-Bears take.
It's unfamiliar, but it's nice.
And, despite it being nice, I think we can all agree Cowherd has leaned way too far into the pro-Williams narrative. It has gone from being somewhat believable to overly polarizing and hyperbolic.
Read more: Bears' Caleb Williams is in elite company whether Packers fans admit it or not
But, hey, what else would you expect?
Add us as a preferred source on Google