Caleb Williams and Bears caught learning ways to influence referees on Hard Knocks
Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are under as much pressure as any team in the league. With so many lofty expectations placed on the rookie's shoulders, it might be impossible to live up to them. However, Williams' job is to pull out every stop, even the morally ambiguous ones.
Per Sports Mockery, Williams was told in the second episode of "Hard Knocks" to pull a move children try on their teachers in school. Williams was encouraged to build friendly relationships with the referees to get preferential treatment.
The article said he was encouraged to "cozy up to them whenever possible." This seemingly means cracking friendly jokes, asking them about their day, complimenting them, and any other verbal trick to get them to take sides to their benefit. Bribery is an obvious no-no. A friendly referee is more likely to keep a flag in their pocket in certain situations and throw one to help them out.
Referees have massive power in determining the outcome of close games. A compliment or friendly joke made in the first quarter could decide the output in the fourth quarter. At least, that is what the Bears appear to believe.
Caleb Williams stares down final non-primetime preseason game
It feels like the preseason just started, but Williams' Bears are already embarking on the beginning of the end of it. This week's contest against Joe Burrow's Bengals will be the team's final non-primetime contest of the practice period before the games begin to count.
After this week's contest on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST, the Bears head to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 8:20 p.m. EST. This week's contest against Burrow will also be Williams' first and final home preseason game.
While most expect Williams to get plenty of work this week, it is unclear if the Bears will risk him in Week 3 of the preseason. With the regular season so close by that point, it could be risky as any knick could carry into the first game.
As such, this week's game might be the last long look at him for a few weeks as hype builds for the regular season. Will Caleb Williams prove that his solid outing in Week 1 wasn't a case of beginner's luck?