For Chicago Bears fans, right now might be the best time of year so far. Training camp is in full swing, the team is receiving plenty of national coverage thanks to a roster on the rise, and HBO's Hard Knocks recently premiered, which features the Bears this year, of course.
A big reason for the national attention and hype with this Bears team has much to do with the arrival of no. 1 pick, Caleb Williams. The rookie quarterback is the best prospect the Bears have ever had at the position, and he comes in polished and ready to lead his team at a young age -- and his teammates are indeed following.
It isn't just Williams who has fans excited, though. It's the fact that Williams has a trio of wide receivers that will challenge to be the best in all of football. Between D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and the rookie, Rome Odunze, Chicago is loaded at the position.
And, everyone has taken notice.
Bleacher Report recently posted some wide receiver rankings, which listed the top six trios in the NFL. As for Moore, Allen and Odunze?
They checked in at no. 2.
You read that right. Soak it in, Bears fans. This wide receiver group is viewed as a top-5 unit, and arguably the best. Here are the full rankings, according to journalist Alex Kay.
Rank | Team | WR Trio |
|---|---|---|
1 | Houston Texans | Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell |
2 | Chicago Bears | D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze |
3 | Miami Dolphins | Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. |
4 | San Francisco 49ers | Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, ? |
5 | Cincinnati Bengals | Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, ? |
6 | Philadelphia Eagles | A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, ? |
The pressure is clearly on for Caleb Williams to perform as a rookie, but should it be?
Say what you want about rookies being rookies, but Williams is undoubtedly expected to play well this year. He's been given a bevy of weapons at his disposal both in the run and passing game. We can all buy into the narratives one way or another.
"Peyton Manning threw 28 picks his rookie year."
Yes, and he's Peyton Manning. Let's take a step back, shall we?
"C.J. Stroud did it, so Caleb should be able to."
They're two different players, from two different programs and on two different NFL teams. Pipe down a bit.
"Tom Brady was a seventh-round pick, and look what he ended up doing."
There's way too much to say about that one, boomer.
In their own way, each of these arguments and narratives are a bit exaggerated -- if not very exaggerated.
The fact is, Williams doesn't have to do anything specific, this season. He could struggle all year long, and he'd still be viewed as "the guy." He'd still be viewed as a quarterback with unlimited potential to be great.
So, with all of the talent surrounding him, sure, he's set up for what could be a monstrous year. However, we need to remember to let him be a rookie. Let him make his mistakes. Let him learn and grow.
More often than not, good things come to those who wait. Understandably, Bears fans have waited long enough. But, let's just wait and see what the kid can do without placing unrealistic expectations on his shoulders.