Reaction to Caleb Williams' Debut in Social Media and Song
![Caleb Williams moves out of the pocket with eyes downfield in his Bears debut. Caleb Williams moves out of the pocket with eyes downfield in his Bears debut.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3375,h_1898,x_0,y_78/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bear_digest/01j53nsegzya33psy0ht.jpg)
Caleb Williams' first effort continued to capture attention even as the Bears got set to begin a week of practice culminating in Halas Hall and Soldier Field visits from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Much of this came from outside the general Halas Hall sphere of influence.
Unabashed Bears fan Kyle Brandt on NFL Network's Good Morning Football had Williams compared already to the all time greats, perhaps only tongue in cheek, but perhaps not.
I will not be buzz killed about Caleb Williams. Neither should you. pic.twitter.com/hi80wrpXPq
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) August 12, 2024
Some of the talk about his performance had to do with his throwing. Some didn't.
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Williams' demeanor itself seemed striking even to the opponents.
In his training camp takeaways column, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote briefly about the Buffalo Bills' reaction as he was in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The comment he got from a few was Williams is "the real deal."
"In particular, his command in the huddle, pocket awareness, poise, accuracy and instincts stood out to them," Breer wrote.
The calm demeanor under pressure was a note made by Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Wiederer via "X." He cited the "calm and QB feel" that he saw in Williams' play.
Going back through the first quarter of Saturday’s game, it’s just so easy to emphasize the calm and QB feel that Caleb Williams plays with. The ascent of this dude is inevitable and will be a total treat for Chicago to experience.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) August 11, 2024
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah commented on this trait as well as others.
"Poise, playmaking & arm talent. This is going to be a fun era of Bears football," Jeremiah posted on X.
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Probably the throw earning him the most comments was the boot pass to Cole Kmet for 26 yards. NBC Sports analyst and QB expert Chris Simms on the deubt: "Caleb Williams is just a natural."
Caleb Williams is just a natural. First real NFL throw on a 3rd & long to the left? No problem. This throw below - which he made look easy - is Mahomes/Allen stuff. pic.twitter.com/tAoVbasGW8
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) August 12, 2024
Even Williams' incompletions seemed to earn him praise. Although he was 4-for-7, he hit the first four and then had Kmet drop a throw and DJ Moore drop one that was perfectly placed on the run to a spot where it had to be.
The last pass incompletion was even a good one. He had only one possible play as time was running out on him against the rush and threw it back pylon, where either Rome Odunze would get it or no one would. Odunze wasn't thinking the same thing as Williams on the play, but given more time to work together, it's the kind of play that connects.
Brian Baldinger shows the beauty of Caleb Williams game. #DaBears
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) August 10, 2024
pic.twitter.com/GQcFhPs50K
The reaction from Bears fans on social media has been predictable, yet in this case understandable.
His 18 plays even seem to have inspired Da Musicians.
CAN IT BE!? #DaBears Got a REAL QB! 🥹🤩
— Dave Swerski (@DaveSwerski) August 11, 2024
a Chicago Bears SUPERFAN Parody Song 🐻⬇️#NFL l @CALEBcsw pic.twitter.com/iT1DSUh70W
Twitter: BearsOnSI