BearFan PHX

of course we all want a dominant team, a top 3 QB. I dont think that putting Caleb's growth into context is excuse making exactly. It is what it is - it takes time, and we are progressing every week? That's just reasonable and the way it happens in the NFL. No one hits the ground running that isnt later exposed to have been incomplete as a player. It youre building a complete veteran top QB, there is a process, and you gotta go through it. Good news is that he seems to be making his way through the steps. But yes, next year it is what it is, and patience will be much shorter. I cant wait for that either.

We are currently sniffing the playoffs - that puts everything in our own hands. I don't think this team is ready for any kind of run, mostly because of the lack of pass pressure. And i think that will become more evident when we play some of the better teams coming up on the schedule. But if this season was for Caleb and Johnson, then I think next season playoff expectations are fair. We have to get the defense right this coming offseason. I'm enjoying this developmental year, and Im seeing the markers i felt I needed to see for this year to be a success. I want to see us upset one of those good teams too, if possible. I expect Caleb to keep growing and be a better QB in week 17 than he is now, which is miles better than week 1 was. But next year - it's go time, and I expect us to start winning a bunch of games. I will be less patient with Caleb and everyone, and start to expect results. That's gonna be fun.

well I agree he could end his career in the 60%s and that wouldnt mean he hadnt been great, your list shows that, but I also think that no one ever coached him on his footwork before, and Johnson is working with him on it, so there are reasons to be optimistic too. He's still so new, I see a really high ceiling for him.

yes, exactly. and I think two weeks ago he was throwing behind his WRs, so in making adjustments, he was throwing too far out in front this past week. hopefully he gets it dialed in soon.

Watching the all 22, one thing that stood out to me is that Caleb was overthrowing guys. the previous week he was underthrowing them, and he needed to do a better job of getting the ball out in front of receivers so they can run. That feels like he's trying to dial it in. And it's not making the same mistakes weeks in a row.

It's been working for me. Plus I use an ad blocker with my browser. It lest me unblock posts from X, and still block ads. Hope that helps.

Right. He sees problems and then he fixes them. Cant wait to see where he takes us.

It's all narratives. Clearly Caleb is up there already, even as he is making lots of mistakes still. All the recent QBs we've had were nothing like Caleb is right now, imperfect as he is. The reason the word "generational" is thrown around is that we can clearly see that Caleb has LOTS of room for improvement, and yet he's still on pace to shatter the all time best season by a Bears QB. after 2 years, Caleb as a rookie put up the 5th best season, and he is on pace to have the best season as a passer in Bears history. Right now, the Bears offense is 3rd in the league for yards. Our Passing yards is 10th, and our Running yards is 2nd. We are 6th in scoring. And remember those first two weeks where we were awful? They account for 1/4 of those stats too. That's how good Williams and Johnson have been. Some guys are just mediocre. Caleb is amazing and great, but he is still making a lot of mistakes, so he averages out to mediocre. The consistently mediocre player wont get better, but when Caleb becomes more consistent, and makes fewer mistakes, he is going to be elite.

I agree (or not at his current price per AZ's post above, hes got a point), and there's some chance they look at CJGJ as a safety too - because I think his skills set makes a good fit there.

absolutely. And Theo needs to protect Caleb better. He was running around a lot this week, and it was Benedet's fault a lot of the time. Now this is different than Braxton, because no one can say that Benedet has reached his ceiling. He's young, and probably a little over his head right now. I have some patience, but I need to see him improving, or it's gonna be a need in the draft again.

OMG I cant stand McCaskey - he's a huge part of the reason we've been so bad for the last 30 years. That's not aimed in any bad way at anyone posting that, I just can't stand McCaskey.

I think Edmunds is doing MUCH better at the WLB spot than he did as a MLB - and statistically, the WLB always gets a lot of tackles anyway. Looks like they figured out how to unlock him, because he is definitely a physical beast. It's easy to see him physically as a Brian Urlacher, but he does seem more comfortable on the weak side.

LOL yup

all these stats say Williams is doing well - not that he doesnt need to grow, but doing well and growing each week. And yet there is so much hate from the internet and distrust even on this board. I think we are so snake-bit at the QB position that some of us are afraid to believe. But the numbers say it a million different ways, and the play on the field does too. Dont be afraid to love again!

I'm not saying Johnson is better than Ditka or Lovie (not saying he isnt either) but what I am saying is that I don't remember a coach who could so quickly identify issues and then make adjustments. Like the running game before and after the bye week. Johnson knows whats wrong, and he finds ways to fix it. Whether that be with the running game where the fix seems "real" or with resorting to trick plays in the Red Zone. BJ knew we needed touchdowns and not field goals, and he found a way to manufacture them. As for Williams, I freely admit he is not a finished product, not by a longshot. I wont be happy until he is a top 3 QB. But where he is right now, is on time, and he's doing pretty well despite the mistakes and all that. He's on pace for over 4,000 yards now, and he has shown the ability to do what it takes to win games at the end. I agree he needs to do better in the Red Zone for sure. But i also think it's all coming, it just takes time. Im seeing all the indications I need to see to say he is on his way to greatness, but that is not the same thing as already being great.

for sure we need both

Hate to see it - Dayo was good at sealing the edge against the run at least. I hope this puts more pressure on us to trade for someone who can really help us.

right. one thing thats clear about Johnson is he sees the problems, and does things to fix them. we havent had a coach like that here in my memory. Even Ditka oe Lovie, who were great motivators never showed the flexibility in scheme to fix things so purposefully. what a great coach we have now.

right - this is right where he is. The pushed vs coddled thing will prove out after a couple years when those other guys are still learning, and Caleb is fully dimensional. Hes showing examples of getting it, and he needs to increase his consistency.

exactly. if this was the finished product for Caleb, that would be a tremendous disappointment, but I think this is just the beginning and hes already somewhere in the middle of the league as a QB. This season's mission was to increase his consistency, and learn the various tricks defenses will throw at him. We also all kind predicted we'd be on the cusp of the playoffs - and thats where we are too - all on time, but frustrating because I know we all want to see it all together already. Soon!

I met Flacco about three days after he won his superbowl, and spent an afternoon with him on the Letterman show - he was pretty much a jerk. One of the least friendly or kind celebrities (or people) Ive ever met. Your story definitely lines up with that. Huge ego, too cool for everyone around him, not just me! Contrast with meeting Drew Brees, also on Letterman, a couple days after he won his Superbowl, and he was nicer than most anyone youd meet famous or not. Just goes to show... you never know. But he does throw a really pretty ball.

yeah, this is definitely the thing, you were right about that, Id like to see Burden (when hes healthy) get a shot. Youre right Duvernay isnt that good - I was just pointing out the money isnt an issue, it is, as you say, about the roster spot.

I think all of this is spot on.

I totally agree that Duvernay should be better, and I'd also like to see Burden get a try. So we agree on that. But regarding the cap space, I think the league minimum is like $840,000 and only the top so many slots even count, so the least you could pay someone on the cap isnt much less than the $1.3M?

It IS amazing - and we are still so inconsistent - imagine when the discipline kicks in.