QB Caleb Williams, CHI (5 Viewers)

[Chaka]

Disappointing game for sure, especially considering the opponent. But, this poor output, will be the outlier for him this season. He's obviously improved, and will continue to. The run game finally looking good only means great things for the bears offense.

I'm not sure I agree.

I believe in Caleb. I'm as big a fan as you'll find in the SP. I think he's a "five tool" talent who has the potential to set the league on fire. I also believe he will continue to improve under Ben Johnson but, I can easily see a scenario where he becomes more potential than production. He's throwing off a ton of Trevor Lawrence vibes IMO and, I'm ready to close the book on Lawrence.

 

[Ray Barboni]

Disappointing game for sure, especially considering the opponent. But, this poor output, will be the outlier for him this season. He's obviously improved, and will continue to. The run game finally looking good only means great things for the bears offense.

I'm not sure I agree.

I believe in Caleb. I'm as big a fan as you'll find in the SP. I think he's a "five tool" talent who has the potential to set the league on fire. I also believe he will continue to improve under Ben Johnson but, I can easily see a scenario where he becomes more potential than production. He's throwing off a ton of Trevor Lawrence vibes IMO and, I'm ready to close the book on Lawrence.

I hear that. What i will say is Caleb has a better path to succeed, than Trevor ever had. Trevor may have already cemented the bad habits he was allowed/forced to learn over his first few years. Ben Johnson will not let Caleb learn the wrong way.

Plus, they are winning. Much easier to learn and grow when there are positive vibes in the building.

 

[Manster]

I sat Nix, and Staff in one league for Caleb….oof.

So far, not regretting dropping him for Dart in another league.

 

[TampaMike19]

Dude sucks. I don’t see the reason to be so optimistic when he can barely complete a pass.

 

[FGITLOTR]

People don’t want to hear it, but I think Bagent can do a better job running a Johnson led O. He’s clearly not as talented as caleb, but he’s good enough to run his scheme and complete more high % throws. I predict that at some point, either the end of this year or next, he gets a shot

 

[LawFitz]

Bengie delaying the inevitable?

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

People don’t want to hear it, but I think Bagent can do a better job running a Johnson led O. He’s clearly not as talented as caleb, but he’s good enough to run his scheme and complete more high % throws. I predict that at some point, either the end of this year or next, he gets a shot

If that was the case, it would have already happened. Ben Johnson doesn't strike me as a guy to kowtow to upper management. If Bagent were, in fact, better at running the offense, he'd be playing right now.

 

[rschroeder1]

People don’t want to hear it, but I think Bagent can do a better job running a Johnson led O. He’s clearly not as talented as caleb, but he’s good enough to run his scheme and complete more high % throws. I predict that at some point, either the end of this year or next, he gets a shot

Bagent has little arm strength. His career high for passing yards in a game is 232, which only happened because the Bears lost 40-7 to the Chargers and he racked up the garbage time numbers. In four games as a starter, his QB rating is 71.

At no point in Bagent's career has he demonstrated anything other than capacity to be a backup QB.

Beyond this, Ben Johnson is not playing to win the Super Bowl this year. He's said this in every way possible besides saying literally. It's a developmental year, and not just for Caleb (though most importantly for Caleb).

 

[Big Nate]

People don’t want to hear it, but I think Bagent can do a better job running a Johnson led O. He’s clearly not as talented as caleb, but he’s good enough to run his scheme and complete more high % throws. I predict that at some point, either the end of this year or next, he gets a shot

Bagent has little arm strength. His career high for passing yards in a game is 232, which only happened because the Bears lost 40-7 to the Chargers and he racked up the garbage time numbers. In four games as a starter, his QB rating is 71.

At no point in Bagent's career has he demonstrated anything other than capacity to be a backup QB.

Beyond this, Ben Johnson is not playing to win the Super Bowl this year. He's said this in every way possible besides saying literally. It's a developmental year, and not just for Caleb (though most importantly for Caleb).

Yep, it is the long game. We play Fantasy Football while the team and coaches are working towards a bigger goal long term. But some people just want to complain.

 

[Max Power]

Crazy, it's almost like these young QBs have their ups and downs within a season and early in their careers.

Statistically Williams is right there in the same mix with Daniels, Nix, Penix and Maye. Some weeks are better than others.

 

[menobrown]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

 

[rschroeder1]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

I'll disagree with you here - I thought Caleb was very poor yesterday. There might as well have been clown/circus music in the background while he was running in circles in the backfield trying to evade pass rushers. The efficient checkdowns from Weeks 3-4 have disappeared, for now at least. Likewise, he seemed very reticent to run forward past the line of scrimmage yesterday - despite the endless circling in the backfield. He had numerous poor throws and keeps having balls that are "tipped" that are basically thrown right at a defense pass rusher's head.

With that said, I have all the patience in the world here and find expectations of linear development to be silly. He had a bad day, on to the next.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

Did you watch the game? He was pretty bad. Ugly throws all day.

 

[menobrown]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

I'll disagree with you here - I thought Caleb was very poor yesterday. There might as well have been clown/circus music in the background while he was running in circles in the backfield trying to evade pass rushers. The efficient checkdowns from Weeks 3-4 have disappeared, for now at least. Likewise, he seemed very reticent to run forward past the line of scrimmage yesterday - despite the endless circling in the backfield. He had numerous poor throws and keeps having balls that are "tipped" that are basically thrown right at a defense pass rusher's head.

With that said, I have all the patience in the world here and find expectations of linear development to be silly. He had a bad day, on to the next.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he played well, just not that terrible.

I think on a fantasy message board people are overly reactive to a lack of stats but the weather and way the running game were going were big factors.

Also don't think his receivers were doing him any favors, nothing in that game looked like it was easy.

And IMO the one thing the Saints did well on defense was keep their gap assignments and did a great job of closing his lanes. I think the way he ran around the pocket was not any different then he had success doing it the first few weeks, it's part of his game, it was just very well defended this time.

 

[menobrown]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

Did you watch the game? He was pretty bad. Ugly throws all day.

No, I got a ton of Bears on major fantasy leagues but I did not care to watch and figured I'd just come here and say I'm surprised at the negative reaction even though I never watched the game.

Come on already, did you watch the game might be the lowest form of conversation going here.

 

[FGITLOTR]

Surprised at all the negativity, and I had him going in some key fantasy games.

Bad weather, running game going, opposing team struggling on offense. Just thought it was a conservative game plan, not a bad game by Caleb.

Did you watch the game? He was pretty bad. Ugly throws all day.

the excuses for the this kid are endless...free bagent

 

[Payne]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

 

[unckeyherb]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

 

[Sir Psycho]

Starting ARod over Caleb.

 

[Payne]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

Sorry, I meant Mac Jones.

 

[Dizzy]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

That TEN stat about 8th ranked against QBs... is it misleading in that teams run all over them so bad, or they just aren't competitive that QBs throw fewer times against them... or are opposing QBs just handing off (or sitting out) the 4th QTR in blowouts... or are they truly an underrated pass defense?

 

[BlackCrowes]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

Has Baltimore D gotten any healthier? I think Roquan is back, but not sure about others. Last I checked they were a MASH unit

 

[jobarules]

Hes my backup for Maye. One more bad game and im dumping him to the wire.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

That TEN stat about 8th ranked against QBs... is it misleading in that teams run all over them so bad, or they just aren't competitive that QBs throw fewer times against them... or are opposing QBs just handing off (or sitting out) the 4th QTR in blowouts... or are they truly an underrated pass defense?

I'm not sure it matters. The Bears are 4-2 and their running game has been on fire lately. So if the problem with Tenn is that teams are getting big leads on them and/or running the ball well against them, the Bears seem just as capable of that as anyone which would have the same effect for fantasy.

 

[Big Nate]

I have a few thoughts going forward for those who are optimistic or maybe want to buy in.

When DET hired Campbell and then Ben Johnson their team was bad. First year (2021) the Lions didn't get a win until like game 11. Second year (2022) they hired Johnson as OC and it was a slow start only getting 1 win in the first 7 games. Then they went 8-2 in the last 10 games. It was a struggle as everyone was learning the offense. Goff did not have a good year by his standards in 2021. Things turned around in 2022 with Johnson. It took time.

In this day an age everyone wants instant gratification and says a player sucks if it doesn't happen immediately. This is the first time this team has had a good coach and offensive system. Everyone is learning a new offense and it will take time. I think there is a buy opportunity here for Caleb and it won't cost a ton. Obviously in SF you will still have to "pay" for a young QB like Caleb but his price isn't as high as draft day. If you believe and things do keep improving you get a QB for the next 5-10 years which is an eternity in fantasy football.

 

[Dizzy]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

That TEN stat about 8th ranked against QBs... is it misleading in that teams run all over them so bad, or they just aren't competitive that QBs throw fewer times against them... or are opposing QBs just handing off (or sitting out) the 4th QTR in blowouts... or are they truly an underrated pass defense?

I'm not sure it matters. The Bears are 4-2 and their running game has been on fire lately. So if the problem with Tenn is that teams are getting big leads on them and/or running the ball well against them, the Bears seem just as capable of that as anyone which would have the same effect for fantasy.

The Bears are playing BAL this week.

I think the question revolved around Caleb @ BAL - or - Daniel Jones vs TEN. At first glance Jones looks to have the juicier match-up, but not if IND blows them out so bad that he sits out the 4th QTR after watching JT torch them for 200 yds and 3 TDs.

 

[Manster]

Hes my backup for Maye. One more bad game and im dumping him to the wire.

So far, for FF purposes, he’s a guy who will be on your bench when he goes off, and then you start him and he puts up a stinker. I dumped him in all 3 leagues because of this. He may progress, and show more consistency week, to week, but I’m in redraft leagues. I don’t have time to wait for that ****.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

That TEN stat about 8th ranked against QBs... is it misleading in that teams run all over them so bad, or they just aren't competitive that QBs throw fewer times against them... or are opposing QBs just handing off (or sitting out) the 4th QTR in blowouts... or are they truly an underrated pass defense?

I'm not sure it matters. The Bears are 4-2 and their running game has been on fire lately. So if the problem with Tenn is that teams are getting big leads on them and/or running the ball well against them, the Bears seem just as capable of that as anyone which would have the same effect for fantasy.

The Bears are playing BAL this week.

I think the question revolved around Caleb @ BAL - or - Daniel Jones vs TEN. At first glance Jones looks to have the juicier match-up, but not if IND blows them out so bad that he sits out the 4th QTR after watching JT torch them for 200 yds and 3 TDs.

Yeah I totally mixed that up. Same point goes for Jones though. Indy also is a good team with a great running game. So like you said, whether Tenn's stoutness against fantasy QBs is because they have a good pass D or because teams don't have to throw against them, it affects Jones either way.

 

[Dizzy]

Is he better than Mariota or Jones this week?

Yeah, thats my dilemna as well. Jones seems to be an every week starte/season changer for folks like me that waited on QB late. That being said, he is going against Tenn that is 8th strongest defense against QB's. Caleb has Baltimore, which unbelievably is 31st against QB's in fantasy production. I have DJones in currently but I'll probably swap them about 37 times before sunday.

That TEN stat about 8th ranked against QBs... is it misleading in that teams run all over them so bad, or they just aren't competitive that QBs throw fewer times against them... or are opposing QBs just handing off (or sitting out) the 4th QTR in blowouts... or are they truly an underrated pass defense?

I'm not sure it matters. The Bears are 4-2 and their running game has been on fire lately. So if the problem with Tenn is that teams are getting big leads on them and/or running the ball well against them, the Bears seem just as capable of that as anyone which would have the same effect for fantasy.

The Bears are playing BAL this week.

I think the question revolved around Caleb @ BAL - or - Daniel Jones vs TEN. At first glance Jones looks to have the juicier match-up, but not if IND blows them out so bad that he sits out the 4th QTR after watching JT torch them for 200 yds and 3 TDs.

Yeah I totally mixed that up. Same point goes for Jones though. Indy also is a good team with a great running game. So like you said, whether Tenn's stoutness against fantasy QBs is because they have a good pass D or because teams don't have to throw against them, it affects Jones either way.

That's exactly what I'm facing now... do I get more FF pts from Jones in a likely blowout win over TEN where he might see a short game and/or dominant rushing attack... or Caleb in a plus-matchup that should go for 4 qtrs vs Ravens - weighing in his inconsistency plus the possibility that THIS is the week the Ravens "get it together" on defense.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

I have a few thoughts going forward for those who are optimistic or maybe want to buy in.

When DET hired Campbell and then Ben Johnson their team was bad. First year (2021) the Lions didn't get a win until like game 11. Second year (2022) they hired Johnson as OC and it was a slow start only getting 1 win in the first 7 games. Then they went 8-2 in the last 10 games. It was a struggle as everyone was learning the offense. Goff did not have a good year by his standards in 2021. Things turned around in 2022 with Johnson. It took time.

In this day an age everyone wants instant gratification and says a player sucks if it doesn't happen immediately. This is the first time this team has had a good coach and offensive system. Everyone is learning a new offense and it will take time. I think there is a buy opportunity here for Caleb and it won't cost a ton. Obviously in SF you will still have to "pay" for a young QB like Caleb but his price isn't as high as draft day. If you believe and things do keep improving you get a QB for the next 5-10 years which is an eternity in fantasy football.

Exactly this. Johnson has already started a culture of winning, which has been gone from the Bears organization for a long time. It's clear that it has taken some time to learn Johnson's offense (just look at how slowly Loveland has been brought along). I've said since Day 1 that the Bears (and Caleb's performance) will be up and down in 2025 and that the real gains will be made in 2026. So far, the offense has been improved a lot quicker than I expected. I still see ups and downs and am eying a 9-8 season, but that is a huge rising trend and I'll take it.

 

[Mojo56]

There is no sugar coating it, Williams has been BAD this season. Of 34 quarterbacks with 100 or more drop backs) Caleb Williams is:
QB27 in Comp % Over Expected (-0.1%)
QB28 in Highly Accurate Throw Rate (51.9%)
QB31 in Catchable Throw Rate (69.7%)
QB33 in Off Target Rate (21.6%)

Is this a byproduct of learning a new system or is Williams just not the QB most of us thought he was. I was high on him coming into this season. I'm about ready to admit I made a big mistake.