Eberflus reacts to impressive Bears offense against Jaguars |
CHICAGO - For a long time, the Chicago Bears have been looking for a franchise quarterback.
It is only six games into his NFL career, but it appears the Bears may have finally found their quarterback of the future in rookie Caleb Williams. “He’s a strong player in the pocket, and he’s strong in the open field, and so, he’s got an ability to square you up and then be able to capture edges and also be able to escape and be strong enough to be able to escape when people do have him in (their) grasp,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “So, he’s a hard get, and he’s done a good job of that so far.” In the first three games of the season, Williams and the rest of the offense struggled. The run game was nonexistent and he had a completion percentage of 59 percent. In the last three games, when the Bears developed a rushing attack, he has a completion percentage of 74 percent. He also has seven touchdowns and just one interception, which came in their most recent win against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday. Part of this improvement is the increased chemistry he is developing with his playmakers. Rookie receiver Rome Odunze had a monster performance with six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown in week three against the Indianapolis Colts, while tight end Cole Kmet had 10 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in that game. Receiver DJ Moore got his revenge against the Carolina Panthers in week five when he put up 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns on them. In Chicago’s London game against the Jaguars this past Sunday, receiver Keenan Allen had his first two touchdowns as a Chicago Bear. His first touchdown was one of the most highlight-worthy plays of the game. “It was a really good play by both players. Obviously, the protection was firm enough to be able to get the play where it needed to be because if you don’t have that, you don’t have that play,” Eberflus said. “But, it’s really about the rhythm and timing of that and those guys working on that particular route, and they’ve done a good job with that during practice and obviously, where it was thrown, and the amazing catch that Keenan had on that particular play was really good and I’m not sure a bunch of guys could make that play other than Keenan. But, it was a really good throw and catch by those guys, and the details were definitely there.” They now have two weeks to prepare for another rookie quarterback - Jayden Daniels. Daniels was drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders, who the Bears will play on Sun. Oct. 27 (3:25 p.m./ CBS) in Washington D.C., where Williams grew up. The last time these two teams played against each other, the two teams combined for 60 points. A battle between Williams and Daniels could certainly happen again. However, Eberflus says the Bears are focused on their own preparation and not on the outside noise about the game. “We’re focused on our preparation and our improvement and our growth during the course of this season … Caleb has things he has to work on with the offense, with the offensive staff and getting better individually but also collectively as a group, and that’s no difference with the offense or defense or special teams,” Eberflus said. “So, I know that there will be a lot of outside noise in terms of going home and back to his area. But again, we’re playing the Washington Commanders, and that’s what it’s going to be all about, and really, it’s about our preparation and our focus.”
