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- Rookie Caleb Williams sharp again as Bears defeat Bengals (newsbreak.com)
CHICAGO — At the NFL combine a few months back, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles painted a picture of two quarterback archetypes: the untraditional “artist” and the precise “surgeon.” Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback, showcased his artistic flair during his second preseason game on Saturday.
Despite a rocky start with the offense initially producing three consecutive three-and-outs, Williams tapped into his creativity against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to a 27-3 victory. His breakthrough came just before halftime when he avoided pressure, escaped the pocket, and launched a 45-yard pass to rookie receiver Rome Odunze. Although this was Williams’ longest completion of the preseason, covering games against both Buffalo and Cincinnati, it wasn’t his only display of mobility and accuracy under pressure.
Shortly after his impressive long pass, Williams demonstrated his agility again by extending a play with his movement, ending with a precise toss to Odunze in the end zone. Unfortunately, the catch was out of bounds, leading Odunze to remark jokingly about his misjudgment of the sidelines.
The connection between Williams and Odunze was a focal point, underlining the Bears’ decision to draft them first and ninth, respectively. After a missed opportunity in the red zone against Buffalo, their chemistry was evident in this game, sparking optimism about their future effectiveness.
Williams expressed excitement about their potential, emphasizing their ambition to quickly rise to the level of veteran players. He stressed the importance of their synergy in achieving team success.
The Bears’ offense, which had struggled earlier, gained traction on their fourth drive with key plays, including a 16-yard run by Odunze and a 43-yard penalty that placed them within scoring distance, leading to their first points via a field goal.
In his final series of the game, Williams turned a red zone opportunity into a rushing touchdown, underscoring his developing ability to adapt and take advantage of defensive offerings.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus praised Williams’ performance and his handling of early adversities, describing his overall play as professional and poised, especially in response to sideline pressures.
Williams’ efforts resulted in a half of play where he completed 6 of 13 passes for 75 yards, coupled with a rushing touchdown, illustrating his growth and the evolving dynamic within the team as the preseason progresses.
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- Rookie Caleb Williams sharp again as Bears defeat Bengals (newsbreak.com)