Why Caleb Williams believes running game will 'emerge really soon'

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — All offensive roads lead back to Caleb Williams. Whether it’s the pass game, run game, or overall protection of Caleb Williams, at the end of the day, it’s on No. 18. Williams knows it, too.

Despite the Bears tallying just 27 yards on the ground from the running backs against the Texans, Caleb Williams sees the ground game as the first domino to fall to whip Chicago’s offense into shape.

“I think one of the things we’ll be able to do really well soon is be able to run the ball. I’m trying to figure out which runs exactly fit well with our personnel, the people we have. I think that’s a thing that’s going to emerge here really soon, and having confidence and keeping steadfast with that, you know, with running backs, receivers, tight ends, everybody having confidence that we are going to break through and figure out exactly what our personality is of the run. Other than that, I think that’s probably the one that’s going to come faster than others.”

That’s not to say Caleb has lost faith in his ability to grow quickly as a passer in the NFL, but it means that an efficient and successful rushing attack opens up doors for the passing game that haven’t been there for the Bears to start the season.

It’s a good reminder that it’s just Week 3 and that defenses are throwing looks at a rookie quarterback who didn’t see intricate disguises in college or his first preseason.

That adjustment from college to the pros is gradual. Caleb won’t wake up one morning with the sudden capability to run a high-powered offense. It’s also why veteran defenders have been able to complicate the game for the 22-year-old. “I think the guys are a little bit older. I’m not meaning that as in they are old and slow and things like that. They are older. They’ve been practicing these pass-rush moves, all these different things for years now, over and over.

It helps that Chicago’s next opponent is an Indianapolis Colts defense that ranks 24th against the rush according to PFF.com. Indianapolis allowed 261 yards last Sunday against the Packers, including 151 to Josh Jacobs. The Colts will also be without their powerful force on the interior of the defensive line, DeForest Buckner, after placing the lineman on injured reserve with an ankle sprain.

More adjustments on the way for Caleb Williams

Beyond the running game, Caleb needs to improve in one area before any other aspect of his game comes along — protecting himself. That’ll come as he gets better at recognizing blitz packages, but in the meantime, it’s been a rude awakening for the rookie quarterback.

Asked about the biggest difference since entering the NFL, Williams identified the physicality. “I think just getting used to getting hit again. It has been a while. It has been since November 18 since the last time I got hit. Just getting used to that, like really hit. Getting used to that. Getting used to having some games like that. It’s the NFL.”

Houston blitzed Williams heavily on Sunday night, reaching the quarterback 11 times, and bringing him to the ground on seven occasions. “There are going to be games like that throughout the years. Making sure I take care of what I need to take care of, throughout the years and throughout the weeks and things like that, to be able to make sure that we can keep going and I’m able to go out there and prepare and play well.”

Caleb Williams finished Sunday night “a little bruised up”, and while that hasn’t exactly changed, he’s feeling better. “I’m a little bruised up still. But body-wise, movement, all of that, I feel good.”

Improving the communication

The Bears were dinged for four false starts in Houston — twice from Nate Davis, and one apiece from Marcedes Lewis and Darnell Wright. The play clock also expired one time, setting the Bears back five yards coming out of a timeout.

Caleb Williams took accountability on Wednesday, saying that communication with the center and the rest of the line must get better and that it starts with him. “I’m always involved in communication. It starts with me and the center first. And then, throughout the game a few times, the clock got kind of low and I was on a different cadence that I didn’t want or shouldn’t have used with the clock being that low.

“You get the call in the huddle and you’re in that for however long and then you get up there and you’ve already called your cadence. Trying to change the cadence at the line instead of using some of our tools that we have. That comes with time and more communication from myself and using the tools that I have to get the ball off without using a cadence that may be a little bit longer.”

There’s a balance for Caleb to strike between simplifying the offense out of the huddle and still being able to adjust at the line in a way that can throw the defense out of sorts. Communicating with the offense is key to making the proper adjustments on Sunday, and Williams says he has a better grip on it after his first hiccup in the NFL.

“There needs to be better communication between the coaches, the offensive line, and myself, making sure that we’re on the same page and that we’re making adjustments when we need to in game. You obviously have adjustments that you work [on] in practice throughout the week, but the other team’s job is to try to confuse you and throw different things at you with looks. Being able to adjust quickly. That’s the most important thing. It starts with communication.”