In hindsight, there were a quite few telling signs from the Chicago Bears that indicated they were preparing for a quarterback change.
While the Bears waited until the first weekend after the start of free agency to trade Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there was a revealing comment made by Matt Eberflus at the NFL Scouting Combine that should have served as confirmation of the quarterback change.
Eberflus provided insight on what he looks for out of the quarterback position.
"“I look at situations,” Eberflus said. “I look at the guys that can operate third down, two-minute and the end of the game situations. That, to me, is a separator. And then you look at toughness. Toughness for a quarterback really is about the mental toughness to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball, and then also have the discernment to be able to move out of the pocket and create when it’s necessary. They come in all different shapes and sizes. But it’s always been fun to evaluate those guys.”"Matt Eberflus via Pro Football Talk
Looking back on those comments by Eberflus, those serve as the closing words on Fields' time as the starting quarterback of the Bears.
While there was no doubt that Fields took a step froward in his development this past season, he still struggled in third downs and fourth quarters. Of his 9 interceptions last season, 5 were on third-down plays. In the fourth quarter of games last season, Fields completed 53.4% of his passes with 6 interceptions.
Caleb Williams is an improvement on third downs for the Chicago Bears.
Using the same criteria, it once again becomes easy to see why the Bears are sold on Caleb Williams.
In his two years at USC, not once did Williams throw an interception on either third or fourth down. For a Bears team that will have the expectation of making the playoffs next season, Williams avoiding turnovers on third down will be crucial.