Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams got his NFL baptism under fire Sunday night in Houston, as the Texans brought waves of scorching heat in Chicago’s 19-13 loss.
Houston sacked Williams seven times, including 1.5 each from Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., and generated 11 QB hits. After his first career loss, Williams noted that he expects to be more than a little sore.
“I’m a little bruised up,” Williams said, via the official transcript. “I took a couple hits today. I’m going to get in ice tubs and do all the things I need to do to make sure my body is ready for tomorrow and practice other the other days and obviously next game.”
Chicago spent the offseason upgrading the weapons around the No. 1 overall pick, but the offensive line was left largely intact. With Ryan Bates going on injured reserve, the interior of the O-line has particularly struggled to open the season. Sunday night, the group failed to pick up stunts and simple extra pressures sent by Houston.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said after the disappointing offensive output that the issues were on the entire group, including coaches.
“That’s an everybody thing,” Eberflus said. “We’ve got to do a great job with the O-line, tight ends, backs. Rhythm and timing on the passes. What’s the play design in terms of getting the ball out? His reads and all that. Again, it’s everybody, so we’ve got to clean that up.”
Williams particularly struggled in the second half as the pressure grew and sped up his decision-making. Both of his interceptions Sunday night came in the final two quarters as he tried to make things happen. After going 12-of-15 for 91 yards and a 91.9 passer rating in the first half, the QB completed 11 of 22 attempts for 83 yards, two INTs and a 21.6 rating in the second half.
Williams particularly struggled against the blitz. The No. 1 pick earned a 4.9 passer rating versus the blitz in Week 2, per Next Gen Stats — the worst in any game in the NGS era (2016, min. 20 dropbacks versus blitz). Against the blitz, Williams went 3-of-12 passing with five sacks and an interception.
Eberflus said it’s all a learning process with the rookie.
“There were certain points where I think he did a really good job riding up in the pocket and making some good throws, so some really good positives there to look at,” Eberflus said. “Then also he was able to evade the rush a couple times and get on the perimeter a couple times. He has to be careful with the football after he gets out there when he throws the ball in a scramble drill. So great learning moments there for him in terms of the pressure that you’re talking about, of what to do and when to do it.”
Per Next Gen Stats, the starting five Bears O-line gave up 28 QB pressures, with the tackles particularly struggling against Hunter and Anderson: Braxton Jones, eight pressures allowed; Darnell Wright, six pressures; Teven Jenkins, six; Nate Davis, four; Coleman Shelton, four.
The seven sacks allowed were the most given up by a Bears team since Week 17, 2022, at Detroit (also seven).
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