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The Bears find themselves in a paradox.
From a distance, they’re a bumbling mess with an ugly 4-8 record, riding a six-game losing streak with a main objective to invent ways to lose close games. They fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron a month ago and head coach Matt Eberflus after a third-consecutive humiliating loss.
Yet, their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is starting to show flashes of brilliance. And that specific development, high-level quarterback play, is more vital to an NFL franchise than anything else. Anything.
So there’s hope?
Absolutely.
But Chicago has to make prudent, meticulous decisions from this point forward to continue to foster Williams’ maturation process entering Year 2 and beyond.
And firing Waldron was a fantastic start.
The former No. 1 overall pick didn’t erupt out of the gates like No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels did. But Williams has been shredding since Waldron’s dismissal. New interim head coach Thomas Brown calling plays has given life to the uber-talented rookie passer.
Check the stark differences.
Shane Waldron as OC
70.5%
2.4%
2.2%
6.1
82.9
Thomas Brown as OC
71.4%
6.2%
2.6%
7.1
99.2
How about the drastic difference in big-time throw rate? Incredible.
Now, Williams did manage a three-game stretch under Waldron with 100-plus ratings, yet those contests came against Rams, Panthers and Jaguars, defenses currently ranked 21st, 32nd, and 30th, respectively, in Expected Points Allowed per play in non-garbage time scenarios this season.
Compare that to his nearly cumulative 100 rating over the past three against the Packers, Vikings, and Lions — teams with defenses that rank 15th, second, and third in that very same statistic. Williams has upped his efficiency against stingier opponents, a clear-cut encouraging sign for his development and the competence of Brown as the staffer with play-calling responsibilities.
…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/matt-eberflus-fired-how-bears-can-best-set-up-caleb-williams-for-future-after-tumultuous-start-to-nfl-career/
Author : Chris Trapasso
Publish date : 2024-11-30 18:02:00
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