Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams faced the pressures of living up to being the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He faced it even more as the Chicago Bears struggled to get their offense together for most of the season. While flashes of potential were shown, the season was full of struggles and growing pains. The life of being a first-overall pick, let alone an NFL quarterback, is never easy, and this was no different for Caleb Williams.
Perhaps the most challenging adjustment for Williams, who lost only 10 games in his college career, was when he was on a 10-game losing streak—matching his college loss total.
Chicago Bears’ Difficult 2024 NFL Season
The Chicago Bears entered their Week 7 Bye with a 4-2 record. Williams was not playing perfectly, but with nine touchdowns to five interceptions, including a four-touchdown performance in London during their Week 6 35-16 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bears and Williams had to feel confident. That confidence quickly shattered.
Over the next 10 weeks, the Bears would lose their next 10 games. It started with an incredible Hail Mary play from Washington Commanders rookie and second overall pick behind Williams, Jayden Daniels. The game ended with plenty of character questions, which worsened as the streak continued.
Matt Eberflus was fired following the 23-20 loss to the Lions at Ford Field and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown did not do much better, finishing with a 1-4 record.
This losing streak was particularly difficult for Williams. Speaking with Esquire magazine, Williams said of the losing streak that he was “so beat up mentally, physically [and] spiritually…When I got home, I got in my bed, I just dropped a few tears”.
It has been a year of learning and reflecting for the former Oklahoma and USC quarterback. Despite a tough season, he showed plenty of optimism in his play, even during the losing streak. He threw only one interception since the bye week, and a pair of 300-plus-yard games against fellow NFC North rivals Detroit and Minnesota. Now, with a new regime, Williams is more motivated than ever not to return to this dark place he found himself in last season.
Williams would tell Esquire,”I think those losses were pretty important for me and my growth…To go on a losing streak, to be in this position and be at the helm of it, was definitely important for me. Just being able to see how I need to be when times are bad… I’m going to work my tail off to never be in that situation again”.
Caleb Williams finished his rookie campaign with 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Ben Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator is the new head coach and helped bring Jared Goff back to life in Detroit. Now, he will look to give life to a Bears offense that Chicago is eager to improve. With the rookie campaign in his rearview, Williams should be motivated to create a new offensive culture in the Windy City.