The Chicago Bears' win over the Las Vegas Raiders is a few days in the rear view, but players and fans still can't stop talking about the dramatic contest. Although the Bears pulled it out at the very end, Las Vegas gave them serious issues.
Well, one player in particular happened to give the Bears more issues than the rest.
Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby single-handedly wrecked Chicago's offense the entire first half. Because of him, Caleb Williams and company couldn't convert three takeaways into touchdowns. He was all over the Bears' offensive line and, thus, all over Williams.
On a recent episode of Crosby's podcast, he talked about the matchup with Williams and, despite Crosby getting the best of him at times, he gave the quarterback a lot of credit.
Maxx Crosby just paid the ultimate respect to Caleb Williams in humble fashion
"Hearing that from a really good player is cool. Our matchup was all day. All day we were going back and forth," Crosby said of Williams calling him the "best player" he's played against so far in his career.
"He's a competitor bro. I'll give it to him. He didn't back down. He kept getting back up, kept trying to make plays. Yeah, he definitely earned my respect."
"He is hard to tackle, you know what I mean? He makes plays happen," Crosby finished.
For fans who have watched Williams' entire young career, this is spot-on. Williams is indeed hard to tackle. At times, his navigating outside of the pocket can drive fans into an anxious frenzy. But, more often than not, Williams is able to escape and live to see another down while also moving the chains on many occasions.
Critics tried telling the football world that Williams was too emotional, that he was entitled and even labeled "soft" on occasion.
You heard it straight from one of the league's most vicious pass rushers in Crosby, though. Williams is a playmaker. He is a competitor. And, more than anything, he earned Crosby's respect. That's saying quite a lot.
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For anyone who doubted Williams going into the season, or even still doubts him, Bears fans will just continue to sit back and watch their franchise quarterback prove narratives wrong. And, one by one, I'm sure we will continue to see praise given, just like this.