SI

Former NFL Scout Says Caleb Williams 'Isn't a Good Player'

The Bears quarterback didn't account for a touchdown in his team's loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Mike Kadlick

Caleb Williams and the Bears fell to 4-3 on Sunday.
Caleb Williams and the Bears fell to 4-3 on Sunday. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Quarterback Caleb Williams has been subject to criticism since the day he was drafted by the Bears with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Whether it's comparisons to fellow second-year signal callers Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, or questions about his fit with coach Ben Johnson, the former USC Trojan has seemingly lived under the microscope from the start.

Said judgments continued on Sunday night after Chicago's 30-16 loss to the Ravens. After the game—one in which Williams accounted for zero touchdowns and threw a costly, fourth-quarter interception—former NFL scout-turned-podcaster John Middlekauff didn't mince words about the QB's play so far this season.

"He has not played well, their team has," Middlekauff, once a scout with the Philadelphia Eagles, said of Williams during an appearance on The Colin Cowherd Podcast on Sunday night. "The running back has played well, and the defense has played well, the quarterback has not. How many times today with Caleb [were there] guys in the flat, even on completions they have to stop and catch the ball. There's no rhythm to his game. I think Caleb isn't remotely a good player. Physically, he's got a lot of gifts, but in terms of playing the quarterback position, I think he's borderline not even average. That's a problem."

On the season, Williams has thrown for 1,636 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 61.9% of his passes—just 24th in the NFL—and tallying a 90.2 passer rating, which ranks 20th. He's also lost one fumble.

The Bears will look to rite the ship next Sunday as they head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. Kick off from Paycor Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.

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Mike Kadlick
MIKE KADLICK

Mike Kadlick is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the New England Patriots for WEEI sports radio in Boston and continues to do so for CLNS Media. He has a master's in public relations from Boston University. Kadlick is also an avid runner and a proud lover of all things pizza.

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