Caleb Williams shatters another No. 1 pick streak

Beware of the meaningless statistic. 

Caleb Williams became the first rookie quarterback chosen No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft to win the first two home games. 

As Bears fans, we exist in a quarterback desert. We’re searching for any sign of hope that Williams is the chosen one. He can be the quarterback savior and mature into a force of nature that will rule the NFL for the next decade; division titles, NFC Championships, and Super Bowls will make us feel like Bulls fans in the '90s.

But, let’s toss some cold water on that fantasy before we contemplate multiple ticker tape parades down Michigan Avenue. 

There’s the season opener, a 24-17 win against the Tennessee Titans where the offense failed to produce a touchdown, Williams threw for 93 yards and Luke Getsy levels of anemia still existed in the offensive bloodstream. 

If Jonathan Owens doesn’t score on special teams and Will Levis doesn’t toss a careless pass to Tyrique Stevenson that was as effective as a Machine Gun Kelly first pitch, then this stat doesn’t make it out of the first-game incubator.

But, those things did happen and the Titans gifted the Bears a 1-0 record. 

On Sunday, it sure looked like more of the same. If your glass is half full, the Bears’ defense went out and put the offense in a position to win. If you’re staring at a half-empty Goose Island, well, then you’re concerned that a fully healthy Rams team protects the football, makes more explosive plays and the Bears don’t pull out a 24-18 win. 

Before we start dreaming that Willams can be the next Jay Cutler, yes that petulant offensive maestro that is the Bears statistical leader in passing yards, completions, attempts and touchdowns, let’s witness the rookie from USC do more than manage a game. 

Caleb Williams is offering glimmers of hope.

Sure, there are signs Williams is the real deal and could be the first rookie QB chosen No. 1 overall to improve to 3-0 at home. 

The five-play, 70-yard scoring drive that gave the Bears a 24-15 fourth-quarter lead showed the savvy expected before the season. 

Williams hit tight end Cole Kmet for a 22-yard gain. Rather than huddle up and let the Rams get a play call or substitute, Williams went tempo and D’Andre Swift burst through the line for a 36-yard touchdown run. 

If there are more plays like that, if Williams can string together chunk plays and do more than manage a game, then the start of his first NFL campaign might grow into something more meaningful. 

The Bears quarterback history is littered with such footnotes.