The Chicago Bears have been selected for this years’ edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks. This makes the first time the Bears have been featured on the program. It also marks the first time in memory that the team has featured a potentially explosive offense. It seems like the hiring of new GM; Ryan Poles really has made a difference in the way the team operates.
When you think of well ran professional sports franchises, none of the Chicago teams generally came to mind. Until recently. The McCaskey family has often been a punchline, but the hiring of Ryan Poles seems to have drug the franchise back into the future. Or at least the present.
The Caleb Williams Effect
Caleb Williams comes into the NFL with more hype than any NFL player since Joe Namath. Paring Williams with the Bears might seem like an NFL version of The Odd Couple. But Oscar and Felix made it work and so can the Bears and Williams. And the Bears are certainly doing their part.
For their second first round pick in the draft, the Bears didn’t go for a defensive edge rusher, three technique defensive lineman, or even an offensive tackle. They went for a dynamic WR, Rome Odunze. The Bears clearly have a different mindset.
And Williams is doing his part
Previous Bears’ QB, Justin Fields was popular with his teammates and fans. Things could have been dicey for the next Bears’ QB, but Williams has handled the situation with the deftness he throws a touch pass. His receiving crew are thrilled with the prospect of working with him.
A rare opportunity
The Bears have not had a franchise QB since Sid Luckman. Luckman finished his career in 1950. I won’t go through a litany of Bears’ futility at this time, but even mediocrity at position would have often been welcome.
Jim McMahon is still hailed by many as the best Bears’ QB in semi-recent memory. And Jim’s heyday was about 40 years ago. If Williams fulfills his potential, he will own the city. I’m impressed by the fact that Williams seems to see Chicago’s morbid QB history as an opportunity instead a drawback. It speaks well of his confidence.
Yes Virginia, there is a new QB
Virginia Halas McCaskey is the matriarch of the Bears’ franchise. She’s 101 years old. She can actually remember Luckman in his prime. The situation reminds me of that scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where that old knight is waiting for some relief. The knight found relief in the form of Indiana Jones. Hopefully Virginia will find it in the form of Caleb Williams.
If things go well maybe the McCaskey family can reclaim ownership of the franchise from Aaron Rodgers.
