The plan to get Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams prepared for the start of the regular season is now fully underway.
That plan includes Williams receiving a fair number of preseason snaps, even if that number has yet to be whittled down.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Friday that he hopes to give Williams roughly 45 to 55 preseason snaps in Chicago’s four exhibition games, which begin with the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 1.
Eberflus hasn’t determined the exact number yet but said that range of plays will fit in with how many preseason snaps the top rookie QBs in the 2023 draft class – Carolina Panthers' Bryce Young, Houston Texans C.J. Stroud and Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson – received with their respective teams last preseason.
“We are looking at that and discussing it," Eberflus said of William's preseason usage. "We haven't made any decisions, but certainly want to get him some reps. The guys last year got 45-55 reps, and we’re looking right in that range. We’ll see, but it’s always week to week because you have to see what the health of your linemen and everyone (is), but certainly all of those exposures are valuable.”
Eberflus’ flexible plan extends to the Bears’ training camp practices, he said. They clearly want to see steady growth from Williams but are willing to adjust the plan on the fly, depending on what they see incrementally along the way.
“We’re looking for improvement from the first practice to the fourth practice,” Eberflus said. “We’ll take a day off then assess where he is, and then we’re going to do the same thing for the next stack of practices.”
Williams also spoke Friday, admitting feeling anxious about being prepared for the regular season, which is right around the corner.
“I want to get as fast as possible because it’s not just for me but it’s something we have to do throughout games, throughout practice, is keep progressing,” Williams said. “So me being able to grasp everything that I can ultimately just helps the team reach our vision at the end of the season.”
Even though this is Williams’ first NFL training camp, he said he understands the value of getting live-action reps against other teams, but he also is putting plenty of stock in what the Bears will be trying to achieve in the team’s camp sessions.
“Any reps (are) obviously valuable, but we do have an understanding that it’s preseason and things are going to be a little different, play-wise, offensively and defensively,” he said. “Practice here is just as valuable as those moments, so (I'm) just making sure I’m not looking forward to preseason and those preseason games and I’m focused on playing against the Chicago Bears defense right now, and when those moments come take those moments (as being) just as valuable as practice.”
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said the ultimate goal is “to really maximize” Williams’ ability. For Eberflus, executing that plan means trusting in the quarterback the team has handed the franchise keys over to.
“For me, it’s just believing in Caleb, putting him in there and let’s go,” Eberflus said. “I think the expectation is for him to be the starter – he is the starter – when we drafted him, and that’s where we put him in. Put him in the position to be that. And we’re going to do a great job of supporting him to get him ready for the first game.”
Williams seems to understand that his progress might not be linear, with some ups and downs during offseason training serving as a reminder of that.
“I’ve had rough days,” he said. “I think I’m the toughest on myself. I go out there and I’ll mess up a play. I’ve thrown a pick in minicamp and things like that, and so being tough on myself but also having an understanding of where we are and where I am, and the progression, like I said before is key. Those bad times (are) not a time to have self-doubt. That’s just a waste of time. It’s a time to keep going, keep progressing and keep believing in yourself.”