Cubs News: Williams is confident in Ryan Poles: "He's done a good job" |
CHICAGO—It is difficult to have a losing streak like Chicago’s, as they have lost their past seven games. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has a long history of winning—in high school, briefly with Oklahoma, and with USC.
He has never experienced a losing streak like this, but is learning how to respond and prepare for the future. “I’ve never had a streak like this of losing in my playing. So, I ask questions. I do understand that this is one - my first time being a part of something like this of losing and this streak going. So, I ask questions to the guys that may have lost a bunch of games or in a row like this or have losing seasons, and I ask some questions because the more knowledge that I have (prepares) me for the future,” Williams said. “If this ever comes close to something like this again, and going to work hard and make sure it doesn’t. But, if it ever happens again, figuring out ways to keep going, keep pushing because it’s part of it. Seasons like this happen every once in a while, and being able to learn from it, being able to address it (and) being able to respond is the most important thing.” From coaching changes to a blowout this past Sunday to a Hail Mary back in October, Chicago has had a lot of turmoil. The offensive coordinator and head coach are gone, leaving questions about Williams’ confidence in general manager Ryan Poles. Williams expressed great confidence in Poles. “Being able to be around him, being able to see the type of guy he is, how much he cares. Y’all only get to see a glimpse of it from y’all’s perspective and then obviously in the media, we did Hard Knocks recently and kind of got a glimpse of it. But, the amount that he cares about us, the Chicago Bears and wanting to win is why my faith is in him and believing in him and making sure that we get it right,” Williams said. “He’s gotten people here like (wide receiver) Keenan (Allen). He’s gotten people here like (receiver) Rome (Odunze), myself, (running back D’Andre) Swift, keep going on with a list of people and so, I think he’s done a good job.” Williams’ development for the future is Chicago’s top priority, as they are not in contention for the playoffs. He has struggled throughout the season in some areas, mainly situational awareness. His footwork has also been off on some plays throughout the season, and the offense's rhythm has been incredibly inconsistent. The last time against the Vikings displayed that well, as the offense did not find a rhythm until the fourth quarter. “I still want to keep working on my feet. I think that’s one of the things, making sure (and) just being completely in rhythm throughout the whole game,” Williams said. “I think that’s one that (I) want to work on, and I think (head coach) Thomas (Brown) and I have done a solid job so far. Obviously, it can be better. There are small mistakes (that) I can get better at that mean a lot to a defense.” One thing Williams has done well is not putting the ball in harm’s way. His fumble against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday was questionable, as his arm appeared to go forward. Besides, he has not turned the ball over since Chicago’s loss against the Washington Commanders with a fumble. His last interception was when the Bears won their last game in mid-October against the Jacksonville Jaguars, making it seven games since his last interception, the longest streak for a rookie quarterback in NFL history. “Protecting the ball is the most important thing, and so is being able to protect it. Obviously, I know I had the fumble last week. But, being able to not have many turnovers in these past couple weeks,” Williams said. “From my side, I touched the ball the most on the football team, and so, being able to protect in those ways just helps us win games, and so, I’m going to try and do that and keep doing that for the next four games.”
