As Caleb Williams steps into his second NFL season, the talk isn’t about him winning MVP or putting up huge passing numbers. It’s really about one main thing: taking fewer sacks.
Colin Cowherd and Matt Hasselbeck Agree: Caleb Williams Needs to Get Sacked Less in Year 2
That’s the clear message from sports commentator Colin Cowherd and former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. They recently chatted about Williams’ growth on Cowherd’s show, “The Herd.”
“With a young quarterback, I’m not looking for growth,” Cowherd said directly. “With Caleb Williams, last year was such a mess; just cut the sacks in half. I don’t care about anything else.”
“The majority of the sacks were not the fault of the offensive line, they were the fault of the young QB… that’s an area he NEEDS to improve on.”@Hasselbeck and @ColinCowherd want Caleb Williams to cut his sacks in half next season. pic.twitter.com/HR5ujvKlEH
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 30, 2025
Cowherd’s comments highlight a worry that’s been around since Williams’ first season with the Chicago Bears. The former Heisman Trophy winner certainly showed off his amazing arm and quick moves.
But he also took 68 sacks, which is the third most in NFL history. This number points to a problem that’s not just about the offensive line. Williams often held onto the ball for too long, looked for big plays instead of easy throws, and didn’t throw the ball away when he was in trouble. This led to many lost yards.
Hasselbeck, who played 17 years in the NFL and started in a Super Bowl, spoke clearly about the issue.
“Sacks hurt your team. They hurt your offensive line, they hurt morale… Sacks are an absolute killer,” Hasselbeck explained. “Most of the sacks weren’t the offensive line’s fault; they were the young quarterback’s fault… That’s something he really needs to get better at.”
Who’s to Blame for Sacks? Experts Point to Williams, Not Just the O-Line
Hasselbeck’s take is important because it goes against the common idea that Chicago’s offensive line was entirely to blame for Williams’ high sack total. Many of the sacks were indeed his own doing.
Williams often tried to extend plays by holding the ball too long. He’d chase chances for big gains instead of just throwing the ball quickly or out of bounds, which often led to big losses.
Sack rates and average time to throw when QBs were pressured in 2024
One of the most valuable things Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and (to a lesser extent) Patrick Mahomes do?
Extending plays under pressure without taking sacks.
Caleb Williams is still working on the second part. pic.twitter.com/VLHQxcxgoL
— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) June 2, 2025
The good news? Help is coming. With the Bears bringing in new head coach Ben Johnson, who built one of the NFL’s best offenses in Detroit, the team plans to give Williams a more organized system. This new system aims to use his strengths while also helping him make decisions faster.
Cowherd and Hasselbeck’s message is simple: getting things done efficiently matters more than making flashy plays. If Williams can learn to trust the system, know when a play is over, and simply throw the ball away, the Bears could take a big step forward. He has the talent, cool head, and strong arm; in the end, it’ll be his self-control that shapes his next chapter in the league.