Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner isn't one to soften his blows when it comes to analyzing quarterbacks, and for good reason.
He's the kind of guy who's gonna cut straight to the point, even if it does come off a little harsh. His recent assessment of Caleb Williams on ESPN's Rich Eisen Show did precisely that.
Warner praised the upside, acknowledged the athletic gifts, but hammered one point above all: Caleb isn't playing efficient football right now.
Breaking down the flaws of Caleb Williams
Warner's quote paints a picture that aligns with what the film has shown for weeks.
"There's times his eyes start in the wrong spot... times he hesitates too much... he's missing too many layups."
For a veteran quarterback to frame it this way is significant. Warner isn't talking about great difficulty throws. He's talking about the routine completions, the plays any head coach expects their starting QB to make.
The Bears drafted Williams to elevate their offense, and the flashes of that high-caliber talent are definitely visible. Warner even closes with the part that keeps the conversation optimistic.
"He has the explosive part of it."
And he does. Williams has found creative ways to extend plays while also dramatically reducing the number of sacks he's taken. Many Bears fans found themselves frustrated throughout the 2024 season because Williams extended plays as expected, but his high sack rate made many nervous.
Warner's critique focuses on what separates the franchise quarterbacks from the highlight-reel passers: consistency. The eyes, the timing, the rhythm throws, the willingness to rip the ball on time rather than waiting for something better. Warner hit the nail on the head when he claimed Williams was "...missing too many layups."
The Bears' offense doesn't need a superhero on every snap; it requires a reliable passer. The boring completions are just as important as the exciting ones.
Warner has the experience needed to know what he's talking about, and his comments on quarterback play shouldn't be taken lightly. In his interview with Eisen, Warner is clearly identifying developmental checkpoints in Williams.
Head coach Ben Johnson and the rest of the offensive staff can work with Williams to improve mechanics and refine his gameplay. It's the talent that's already baked in, and Warner's comments show that he sees the trajectory that Williams and the Bears are on.
The question is no longer whether Williams has star potential. He clearly does, and Chicago fans can clearly see that. The question is how quickly he can iron out the foundational parts of the position.
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Fix the layups and the accuracy issues, and Williams is in a much better position to lead the Bears into January football.