Despite the immense hype surrounding his arrival in Chicago, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has endured a challenging start to his NFL career. USC head coach Lincoln Riley, who coached Williams to a Heisman Trophy in college, provides valuable insights into the adjustments needed for the young quarterback to fulfill his potential.
Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears' rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has faced adversity in his first two professional games. The highly touted prospect recorded a meager 93 passing yards in his NFL debut and threw two interceptions while being sacked seven times in a Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans.
As Williams seeks to overcome his initial struggles and meet the expectations placed upon him, his former coach, USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, offers invaluable advice.
Caleb Williams' Struggles: USC Coach Riley Offers Advice for Bears Rookie's Success
Riley, who coached Williams to a Heisman Trophy in 2022, emphasizes the importance of returning to fundamentals amidst the challenges of a new league and offense. "I think you got to go back to the basics," Riley advised Williams on Wednesday's edition of "The Herd." "Sometimes the answers that you're looking for as a player are right there."
Riley acknowledges that growing pains are inevitable in any new environment, especially for a rookie quarterback. However, he stresses the significance of maintaining a positive attitude and using adversity as an opportunity for growth. "You're going to go through some tough moments, but you got to continue to go back to the basics, continue to improve, continue to lead," Riley emphasized.
Williams' collegiate career spanned three seasons, with two years at Oklahoma and one at USC. In his final year at Oklahoma in 2021, he started the final seven games of the season as a true freshman. The following year, he transferred to USC, following Riley from Norman to Los Angeles.
At USC, Williams flourished under Riley's guidance, winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns while also rushing for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2023, he registered a career-best 170.1 passer rating.
Despite his collegiate success, Williams has struggled to replicate that level of performance in the NFL. He has registered just 267 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, and zero touchdowns in his first two games, completing 56.1% of his passes. His interception total stands at two, and his passer rating is a modest 53.0.
Compounding Williams' struggles, the Bears' offensive line has faced heavy criticism for allowing an NFL-high nine sacks. The protection the line provides will play a significant role in Williams' development and ability to thrive.
Williams and the Bears will face the 0-2 Indianapolis Colts on the road in Week 3, while Riley and the No. 11 Trojans have a road game against the defending national champion and No. 18 Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
