Bear Digest

Caleb Williams among Bears' highest-graded players in Week 1 loss to Vikings

Despite an inconsistent second half, Bears QB Caleb Williams was one of the team's top performers in Week 1.
Matt Marton-Imagn Images

In this story:


Despite a second half worth forgetting for the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 1's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the second-year QB managed to end the game as one of Chicago's top overall performers, according to the analytics powerhouse, Pro Football Focus.

Williams ended Week 1 with a 77.1 grade, which was the second best on the Bears and trailed only right tackle Darnell Wright, who finished with a 77.9.

Fans who watched Monday night's meltdown may be wondering how Williams managed to earn a grade like that, despite sailing several passes beyond his intended target. The answer is his legs; his 86.1 rushing grade was critical to his final score. Williams' passing grade was just 67.9.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings
David Banks-Imagn Images

Regardless, Williams was the main cog in a Bears' offense that scored 17 points against a ferocious Vikings defense. And while Chicago's loss certainly hurts, I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll look back at Williams' performance in a few weeks and appreciate it more.

Wright, meanwhile, was a brick wall in pass protection, earning an 86.1 from PFF.

As for the rest of the Bears' top-five scorers on offense, veteran wideout Olamide Zaccheaus scored a 72.1, while tight end Cole Kmet, whom many thought would step aside for rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland, earned a 66.9. Second-year wideout Rome Odunze was fifth with a 64.7.

On the other end of the spectrum was new right guard Jonah Jackson, whose 31.0 grade was downright horrendous. The Bears' rookie class didn't fare well either. Loveland scored a 52.1, running back Kyle Monangai earned a 51.4, and wideout Luther Burden III scored a 55.1. They joined Jackson as the four worst performers on offense in Week 1.

More Chicago Bears News


Published
Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.