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Rookie Quarterback Caleb Williams Vows 'I Will Be Better' Ahead Of Sunday Night Football

Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams made his NFL Regular Season debut on Sunday with the Chicago Bears. Williams said he 'didn't perform the way that I wanted to." Chicago plays the Houston Texans in Week 2.

Randall Sweet

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in action against the Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in action against the Tennessee Titans / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
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On Sunday, former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams made his first NFL regular season start for the Chicago Bears.

After being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams' debut in the Windy City has been long awaited by Bears' fans and football observers alike.

Yet, in the talented quarterback's first game as a pro, Williams and Chicago's offense couldn't seem to get into a rhythm as the rookie signal called finished 14-of-29 for just 93 yards.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter
Sep 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images / Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

"Didn't perform the way that I wanted to," Williams said after the game. "I missed a few passes that I normally don't miss, all of these other things. ... I would say I was seeing it well, just missed and misfired and (not) placing the ball where I want it to."

Williams and his offense didn't register a touchdown drive in Week 1, but the young quarterback also finished with zero turnovers, which proved to be the difference in the contest. Even though he didn't have a very productive game, Williams' lack of turnovers is at least a bright spot in his rough NFL debut.

Many young quarterbacks struggle with turnovers early in their career when played against veteran defenders and defensive coordinators.

Despite throwing for less than 100 yards, Williams admitted that Sunday's contest wasn't the first time an opposing defense has stumped him.

"I have played a game (that was as frustrating)," Williams said. "It was not too far down the road. ... Not UCLA, it was the green and gold team. The one Cole Kmet played for."

Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Williams is referring to his performance against Notre Dame in 2023, when Williams went 23-of-37 for 199 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Fighting Irish easily defeated the Trojans 48-20, handing USC its first loss of the season.

Even with a subpar performance for the former Southern California superstar, the Bears picked up a 24-17 victory in Week 1 thanks to a late interception return for a touchdown by Chicago's defense. The Bears' first touchdown came on a blocked punt that was returned for a score by Jonathan Owens.

The win makes Williams just the fourth quarterback to be selected No. 1 overall and earn a victory in Week 1 the following season, joining Jim Plunkett, John Elway and David Carr.

Carr was the most recent played to achieve the feat in 2002.

"It's great to get this first win," Williams continued. "We're all excited, we went into the locker room and celebrated. I sat down, enjoyed the moment. Watching all the guys celebrate, understanding I need to be better. I will be better. And then, you know, just taking in the first win. It's unbelievable."

Williams and the Bears will take on the Houston Texans in Week 2 for what should be an exciting Sunday Night Football showdown between two very promising young quarterbacks in Williams and Houston's C.J. Stroud. Both Houston and Chicago are 1-0 heading into the matchup.

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Randall Sweet

RANDALL SWEET

Randall Sweet is a Staff Writer for Sports Illustrated covering the Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys, USC Trojans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. Since graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Randall has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports across the country as a credentialed media member. While in college, Randall wrote for the OU Daily and logged bylines in The Norman Transcript in addition to working with Sooner Sports Pad and OU Nightly. Following his time at OU, Randall served as the Communications Coordinator at Visit Oklahoma City before leaving to join the team at Sports Illustrated.

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