The former Cowboys star, now turned football analyst, Michael Irvin, has stepped in to shield the Bears’ rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, from harsh criticism following a rocky start in the NFL.
Williams, a sensation in college football, earned the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after an impressive collegiate career with Oklahoma and USC. His transition to the NFL, however, has been met with challenges. Williams struggled in his first two games against the Titans and Texans, leading to comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and high expectations for the rookie.
Despite a shaky performance in the Bears’ Week 1 win over the Titans and a loss to the Texans in Week 2, Irvin remained optimistic about Williams’ potential. He noted improvements in Williams’ gameplay in the second game, emphasizing the importance of patience and development for the young quarterback.
“Once he masters that on-time, on-script football, then all of his unorganized, off-script football can be very effective,” Irvin said, highlighting Williams’ progress in following the playbook and playing with more composure.
While acknowledging the similarities between Williams and Mahomes, Irvin cautioned against expecting too much from the rookie too soon. He stressed the importance of allowing Williams time to grow and develop his skills in the NFL.
Irvin urged the Bears to support Williams in his development, emphasizing the team’s responsibility to build a strong foundation around the young quarterback. Despite struggles in his early games, Irvin believes Williams has the potential to be compared to elite quarterbacks like Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Lamar Jackson with the right support and adjustments to the professional game.
