Caleb Williams Wasn't Happy with Matthew Stafford's NFL Top 100 Ranking: 'Top 2 QB'
Aug 8, 2024
CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 01, 2024 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams believes Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is underrated by his peers.
Stafford was ranked as the No. 42 player in the NFL by his peers in the NFL Network's Top 100 player rankings and Williams expressed his disagreement with that placement during an appearance on the Up and Adams Show on Thursday.
No. 1 pick Caleb Williams on his admiration and respect for #Rams QB Matthew Stafford... 🗣️
"I was not happy about his (NFL Top 100) ranking," Williams said. "I don't think I can name two quarterbacks that play the position better than Matthew Stafford."
Stafford was rated as the No. 11 quarterback per the survey. Williams said that the only quarterback he had ahead of Stafford was New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was ranked No. 92 on the list and was ranked as the No. 15 quarterback.
Rodgers' low ranking can be attributed to his season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season. Stafford, however, put together a full 2023 and showed why he is still regarded so highly. He threw for 3,956 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2023 and helped lead Los Angeles back to a postseason berth.
While he is on the older side at 36-years-old, he still remains a formidable foe for NFC opponents. As a former No. 1 pick, he also serves as an excellent role model for Williams.
Williams is entering his rookie season after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears. He will hope to stabilize the quarterback position and help the team take a step forward in a strong NFC North.
He will get a chance to face off against Stafford in his rookie season, as Chicago is heading to Los Angeles on Sept. 29.
Caleb Williams to Make NFL Preseason Debut for Bears vs. Bills; Starters Will Play
Aug 8, 2024
CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 01, 2024 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams—the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft—will make his NFL in-game debut as the starting quarterback Saturday when the Chicago Bears go on the road to face the Buffalo Bills in preseason action.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Thursday that Williams and all of the team's other available starters will play Saturday after sitting out the team's preseason opener against the Houston Texans last week.
While Eberflus did not give a precise answer to how long he intends on playing Williams and the other starters, he said, "We want to see a good flow and rhythm to it."
The 22-year-old Williams enjoyed a spectacular college career at USC, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after throwing for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 382 yards and 10 scores.
Williams was unable to repeat as the Heisman winner in 2023, but he still put up excellent numbers, throwing for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five picks, and rushing for 142 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Bears were so impressed with Williams' play that they decided to select him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft and trade away another promising quarterback in Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although the Bears had the No. 1 overall pick, they present a much better situation for Williams than teams who pick first normally do.
That is because the pick originally belonged to the Carolina Panthers, who traded it to Chicago in order to move up to No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Bears went 7-10 last season and bring back several talented pieces on both sides of the ball, plus they made some significant additions this offseason.
Along with taking Williams, the Bears used the No. 9 overall pick in the draft at wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Chicago also traded for veteran wideout Keenan Allen and signed running back D'Andre Swift, arguably giving Williams one of the best supporting casts in the league.
Eberflus and football fans will get their first taste of what Williams and the starting offense look like together in Saturday's preseason clash with Buffalo.
Bears HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2024: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 1
Aug 7, 2024
CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 01, 2024 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
"Caleb Williams has the opportunity to be the biggest thing in Chicago since Michael Jordan."
No pressure, kid.
There is no doubt where the focus is going to be for the Chicago Bears this season, and the first episode of HBO's Hard Knocks chronicling the team's training camp started the only place it could on Tuesday.
With Williams under the spotlight.
The show opened with head coach Matt Eberflus calling Williams on draft day to let him know he was the No. 1 overall pick. That was far from the end for the USC product, as radio voiceovers compared him to Jordan as the show used the Chicago Bulls' famous starting lineup music to introduce him to viewers.
Watching Caleb Williams practice throws set to the Alan Parsons Project has me believing that he’s gonna win at least 12 championships.
The rookie quarterback was the star of the first episode, which included montages of him learning the offense during practices and meetings as well as the team having quite the reaction when he told them his signing bonus was $25.5 million.
But that didn't stop them from booing him for a poor performance while singing during the rookie talent show.
Williams is a star, but he wasn't the biggest star who made an appearance.
Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens is married to Olympics legend Simone Biles, and the team granted him permission to travel to Paris to support her at the Games. The gymnast, who won gold medals in the team competition, individual all-around competition and vault plus silver in the floor exercise, was missing her dogs when overseas.
The star power didn't stop with Williams and Biles.
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who coached Eberflus at Toledo, visited the team's facility and talked with his former player about how to best prepare Williams to live up to the sky-high expectations. Considering Saban won seven national championships in college, there are far worse people to turn to when looking for advice on how to maximize young talent.
It wouldn't be an episode of Hard Knocks without some of that off-the-field material, and Tuesday's show also featured tight end Cole Kmet throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, members of the team riding a boat through the city, a pool party at Eberflus' house, a slip and slide at practice, and Jaylon Johnson's tiny car.
Yet the most memorable moment arguably belonged to rookie offensive lineman Theo Benedet, who is from Canada and chose to honor the United States by singing God Bless the U.S.A. in front of the team.
That wasn't all, as he also ripped off his pants to reveal a speedo with a bald eagle.
It wasn't all good news for Benedet, who suffered an injury in the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans that was included in the episode. Chicago came away with a 21-17 win in a game that was stopped early because of weather conditions.
Williams didn't play, but Brett Rypien starred in the backup competition by going 11-of-15 for 166 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Collin Johnson also finished with two touchdown catches.
But if everything goes according to plan for the Bears this season, there will be bigger names than that making plays. The playoffs are the expectation with Williams guiding an offense that also features DJ Moore, Kmet, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D'Andre Swift and Gerald Everett, and the team isn't shying away from that reality.
Not if Hard Knocks was any indication.
Simone Biles Hyped by Bears' Jonathan Owens After Olympics: 'My Wife's a Warrior'
Aug 6, 2024
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens attend a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on January 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
It's not often an NFL player isn't even the best athlete in his own marriage, but that is certainly the case for Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens.
And he is thrilled to play the role of hype man for his wife, Olympics legend Simone Biles.
"She's amazing, isn't she? I'm over the moon," Owens said during a Tuesday appearance on NFL Network's Inside Training Camp Live (h/t Eric Edholm of NFL.com). "I was just excited that I was able to sit there and I was able to witness it and experience the energy, the culture and just watch everyone react to her."
The Bears allowed him to leave training camp and travel to Paris to cheer on Biles' pursuit of gold.
"My wife's a warrior," he told reporters.
There's no doubting that.
Biles worked through an apparent calf injury during the Games and added to her illustrious resume with gold medals in the team competition, individual all-around competition and vault. She also won silver in the floor exercise.
Simone Biles becomes the #ParisOlympics vault champion to secure her SEVENTH career Olympic gold medal. 🥇
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
She counts seven gold medals and 11 overall Olympics medals to her name and has cemented herself as the greatest gymnast of all-time. She is also one of the best Olympians of all-time in any sport.
As for Owens, he will look to bring home some hardware of his own during his first season with the Bears as part of a team that has plenty of optimism with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams leading an offense that also features DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze.
Video: Bears' Patrick Scales Hilariously Reacts to 31 Overall Madden 25 Player Rating
Aug 6, 2024
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Chicago Bears LS Patrick Scales (48) during warmups for a National Football League preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on August 1, 2024 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Much of the attention on the Chicago Bears this season will center around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, but perhaps fans should be paying attention to something else.
Something like the very important cause of raising long snapper Patrick Scales' Madden rating.
The Bears released an amusing video of Scales reacting to his 31 overall rating in Madden 25 on Monday, and the veteran said, "I've been personally victimized by a low Madden rating."
He continued, saying, "the reason I wanted to finally tell my story is so that the world can know the real me. I am more than just my Madden rating. I am human."
While the video that ends with the message #RaisePatsMaddenRating was clearly done in tongue-in-cheek fashion, 31 overall is alarmingly low. Sure, long snappers are never going to get much love in Madden games that are all about the quarterbacks and skill position players, but he has been a steady presence for the Bears for years.
In fact, Scales hasn't missed a game in any of the last seven seasons for Chicago.
It's a good thing, too, because one hates to think what his Madden rating would be if he did miss some games.
The Chicago Bears have built a roster that does not need much improvement throughout the preseason. But the one area that could use an upgrade is the interior…
Bears' Jaylon Johnson: 'Bulls--t' That I Was Snubbed from Top 100 NFL Players List
Aug 4, 2024
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Chicago Bears DB Jaylon Johnson (1) during warmups for a National Football League preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on August 1, 2024 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson made his thoughts perfectly clear regarding the NFL Network top 100 players list that was revealed before the 2024 season.
He told reporters it was "bulls--t" and "disrespectful" that he was not included on the list.
"I dunno how you make Pro Bowl, All-Pro and (are) not a Top 100 guy," he continued. "I could've been 101 ... Aaron Rodgers didn't even play in the season and he was voted (in)."
While preseason lists like this don't matter when the games start on the field, it should be noted that the players themselves vote for the top 100. Johnson was clearly upset his fellow peers didn't rank him among the league's best.
It was far from the only notable development in the top 100, as Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was ranked as the No. 1 overall player ahead of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson at No. 2.
Jackson is the reigning MVP, but it was still shocking to see him ahead of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 4.
After all, Mahomes has won three of the last five Super Bowls and has already cemented himself on the short list of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport. His Chiefs have advanced to at least the AFC Championship Game in each of his six seasons as a full-time starter and reached four Super Bowls during that span.
The rest of the league is playing catch up when it comes to Mahomes and the Chiefs, although he is apparently the one playing catch up on this list.
So is Johnson, who did not make the top 100 despite his Pro Bowl season in 2023. He finished the campaign with 36 tackles, 10 passes defended, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown.
Pro Football Focus gave him a sparkling overall player grade of 90.8, which was by far the best mark of his career.
His incredible season likely made the decision from the Bears to sign him to a four-year contract extension this offseason a rather easy one even though his long-term future with the team was once far from a sure thing when Chicago gave him permission to seek a trade in October.
Alas, the Bears made sure he isn't going anywhere with the deal and may even get a more motivated version of the cornerback in 2024 after he was left off the top 100 list.
If that's the case, Johnson will likely be on the list in 2025.
NFL Rumors: Keenan Allen, Bears 'Haven't Made Progress' on Contract Extension
Aug 3, 2024
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen (13) catches a pass during warmups for a National Football League preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on August 1, 2024 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears are still looking to find common ground with wide receiver Keenan Allen.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that Allen and the Bears "haven't made progress" on a contract extension and that the team may take a "wait and see" approach before committing to Allen long-term.
"Moore used part of his news conference the day after signing his new contract to stump for an extension for Allen. Allen recently changed agents, and with one year and $18.1 million left on his contract, he has approached the team about an extension. But so far, they haven't made progress on that front. The Moore contract, done with two years left on his prior deal, shows that the Bears consider the 27-year-old a key building block for their future along with Odunze. They'll likely wait and see on the 32-year-old Allen before committing beyond this year.
The Bears acquired Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in the offseason and hope he can form a solid wide receiver core alongside D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. He will be a free agent following the 2024 season and could be a strong option on the open market.
Allen will surely aid in the development of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, who the team hopes can quickly emerge as a star and help the Bears become a consistent postseason presence. Allen's track record suggests that he could be a strong target for Williams.
Allen has 10,530 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in his 11-year career. He had 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns for the Chargers in 2023 and has been named to the Pro Bowl six times.
The 32-year-old may not need to be a clear-cut No. 1 receiver with Moore around, but he could be a matchup nightmare for opponents out of the slot and also allow Odunze to see consistent single coverage as a rookie.
If it clicks in Chicago, the team could look to keep him in the long term. If it doesn't, he may be wearing a different uniform once again in 2025.
Fantasy Alert: Bears' Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze Have 'Extremely Strong Connection'
Aug 3, 2024
CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 01, 2024 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Fantasy football players are watching the Chicago Bears very closely this summer, given the number of explosive weapons the team has put around Caleb Williams.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the rookie quarterback has had some trouble against the blitz thus far, but is forming a strong connection with a number of those weapons:
He and rookie wideout Rome Odunze looked like they have an extremely strong connection. Odunze made a couple of dazzling catches in two-minute drills, and he and Williams seemed to be together every time they walked on or off the field during the team portion of practice. Williams also found DJ Moore on a gorgeous deep ball for a touchdown on the first day I was there—an hour or so before Moore signed his big new contract extension. Tight end Cole Kmet is a reliable holdover as a strong option in the passing game, and the team hopes veteran Keenan Allen can be the kind of help and influence for Williams that he was for Justin Herbert in Herbert's rookie season with the Chargers.
Williams himself has acknowledged that getting better against the blitz is among his current goals.
"I would say working on my blitz and coverage looks and feeling the umbrella of the defense, and feeling that out to adjust protection; to adjust whether it's a run, flip the run into it, flip the protection, get to a quick gain, get to a cover-zero check, however the structure of it works out," he told reporters this week when asked where he wants to improve. "Just progressing, and a lot of that comes with seeing it and reps, and that's why also preseason, those things are so important."
From a fantasy perspective, it's always risky to pin too many hopes on a rookie quarterback, though C.J. Stroud's amazing 2023 season may embolden some managers to go all in on a player like Williams.
.@TedyBruschi thinks it's unfair to compare Caleb Williams' rookie season to C.J. Stroud's rookie season.
"I can't wait to watch [Caleb Williams}, but to put him to that standard? ... Realistically is that achievable? I don't think so." pic.twitter.com/GSWmlI280g
He would be the pick if you were to employ such a strategy. He's loaded with weapons, including running back D'Andre Swift, though the safer bet might be going after the receivers on this team, namely Allen and Moore.
Of course, the risk when a team has too many weapons is that the touches between all of them get diluted. Given the explosive talent this team has at receiver, it's more likely that Kmet's targets will suffer, though Odunze could end up being the third wheel among the wideouts, given that rookie receivers often—but certainly not always—take a few years to really develop from a fantasy perspective.
Regardless, this Bears offense has the potential to be explosive. Williams' development will determine just how explosive it is.
Like the rest of the preseason, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game typically does not feature starters going at it. And many second-stringers end up sitting…
