Williams vows to be better after struggling in NFL debut |
CHICAGO - For the first time since 2002, a rookie quarterback drafted No. 1 overall has won his NFL debut.
Chicago fans hope that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will continue to break records, but they were certainly hoping for more out of him in the Heisman winner’s first NFL game. “I would say offensive play, obviously, we didn’t perform how we wanted to. We want to be the most efficient team out there. Myself included, didn’t perform the way that I wanted to. I missed a few passes that I normally don’t miss, all of these other things and so, I think there’s small things that always lead up to big things, make those moments and things a lot bigger. They make games a lot closer, just the small things whether it’s a pass play that I had to (running back) D’Andre Swift in the flat that I missed a little bit in front of him, whether it’s missing (wide receiver) DJ (Moore) a little bit on that in-route on the backside a little bit right in from of him. All these small moments that happen throughout the game that felt like I was in the right place, the right time and I would say I was seeing it well,” Williams said. “Just missed and misfired and placing the ball where I wanted to. You complete a few of those … So, I think that was the name of the game today for the offense has just not being on the same page passing-wise and then run game. We’ll be better. Obviously, it’s great to get this first win and we’re all excited. We went into the locker room, celebrated. I sat down, enjoyed the moment and just watched all the guys celebrate, understand that I need to be better. I will be better and then just taking in the first win. It’s unbelievable.” Williams finished his first NFL game with 14 completions for 93 yards, averaging just 3.2 yards per attempt, and had a 55.7 quarterback rating. On the bright side for Chicago fans, he did not turn the ball over, which is promising for a rookie. He also tacked on 15 yards rushing. Overall, Williams did not play up to the expectations for himself, something that he says is going to motivate him going into Chicago’s next game against the Houston Texans on Sun. Sept. 15 (7:20 p.m. / NBC). “Whether it’s a win or loss, you expect yourself to play a certain way. You expect yourself to go out there and perform a certain way, to make passes whether it’s just (a) routine pass or whether it’s just an insane kind of, whatever the case may be kind of play,” Williams said. “That didn’t happen today, so it’s enough motivation for me. We’re going to somebody else’s home this week too, and so, it’s enough motivation for me to go out there, get better this week, and make sure that I perform differently next week.” Despite his performance in the game, it was still an exciting moment for Williams. It was his first NFL regular-season game, and while the defense and special teams carried the team, it was also his first victory as an NFL quarterback. He is not someone who ever gets too high or too low, but the gravity of this moment was exciting for him. “Emotionally, I was excited. I was really happy to be here, be a Chicago Bear. I was really happy to get out there on the field finally and get this first game going and extremely happy now, extremely happy when I got to the locker room. We got a lot more to get better at. But, to get this win, first win in the books as a rookie starting QB, for myself, is unbelievable and I’m happy. I’m excited. I’m ready to go,” Williams said. “(I’ll) be honest with you, I feel great. I understand that obviously, the stats weren’t where I wanted them to be and things like that because I want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability and didn’t do that today and so, we’re going to get better tomorrow. We got this low period, these next 15 hours or so and then you reset. You get ready for Houston next week and so, we’re going to enjoy this win. I’m going to go (to) dinner with my family, hang out with them and then from there, get back into it and get ready to go. We’re going to be better next week.”
