What to make of Caleb Williams’ performance in Bears’ Week 1 win over Titans

Chicago Bears fans couldn’t wait for Sunday afternoon’s kickoff against the Tennessee Titans. It marked the beginning of the Caleb Williams era, the quarterback lauded as the savior for a franchise that’s never had a 4,000-yard passer. All the hype surrounding Williams may have made the expectations for his debut a bit unrealistic, they were high.

Williams responded by completing 14-of-29 passes for 93 yards in the Bears’ 24-17 win. No touchdown passes, no wow plays, no razzle-dazzle. Nothing.

Just… 93 yards.

“I don’t care about stats,” Williams said. “I feel great. I’ll be honest with you, I feel great. I understand that, obviously, the stats weren’t where I want them to be and things like that because I want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I didn’t do that today. We’re going to get better tomorrow.”

The good news? Williams didn’t turn the ball over. He never looked flustered. In fact, he didn’t really look like a player making his first career start. He seemed composed throughout the game.

“I don’t think there was any anxiety,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. “He was calm, cool and collected the whole time. Never got frustrated. We always talk to him about the response you have of just hanging in there, because sometimes it can get rough on both sides. It can get rough. You’ve just got to hang in there. You’ve got to have that belief — the belief in the man next to you, belief in your teammates. It’s not just about one guy. That’s what I saw at halftime. They exhibited that the second half.”

Still, there were some ugly moments. Some ugly throws. A play or two that I’m sure he’d like to have back.

Caleb Williams trying to scramble backwards in the nfl vs grown lmao this isn’t the pac 12 pic.twitter.com/PrCjlI1Hir

— John (@iam_johnw) September 8, 2024

On the other hand, there were a few plays that Williams” teammates could’ve made for him. Namely, Keenan Allen. This pass should be in the ledger as his first career touchdown:

Bears get 3 but they should’ve came away with 7.

Keenan Allen has to catch this. pic.twitter.com/KlyQSZeaBM

— Dave (@dave_bfr) September 8, 2024

Maybe Allen was getting revenge for this overthrow that could have ended with the veteran receiver celebrating a huge touchdown:

Good comeback the next play but Caleb has to hit this one.

What a route by Keenan Allen. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/hj3qlwIcgc

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 8, 2024

Williams wasn’t sharp. He didn’t flash elite arm talent. He wasn’t the dude any Chicago Bears fan hoped he’d be, but here’s the thing: it’s OK. It really, truly is OK.

MORE: These 3 Bears earned game balls in Week 1 win over Titans

The Bears won the game. Remember that whole winning and losing thing? The thing that really matters? The Chicago Bears won. It’s actually encouraging that Chicago could have such a horrendous output on offense and still find a way to outlast and overcome a Titans team with a better-than-you-think defense and an offense with some capable playmakers.

“When we all play together — offense, defense, special teams — it’s going to be a scary thing when it all comes together,” wide receiver DJ Moore said.

Look, there’s no sugarcoating it. Caleb Williams’ debut was disappointing. It felt very familiar. Very Justin Fields-ish. Very Mitch Trubisky-ish. And I hate thinking that, let alone typing it. But unlike those other first-round failures of Bears yesteryear, Williams didn’t look lost in the moment. He didn’t have a critical error. He just didn’t have that highlight-reel moment.

Call it a hunch, but I think those highlights (a lot of them) are coming soon. Fear not, Bears fans. Williams will be just fine.

“I sat down, enjoyed the moment,” Williams said. “Just watching our guys celebrate and understanding that I need to do better, and I will be better.’