Nick Saban tells Matt Eberflus that a Caleb Williams rookie breakout season is “almost impossible”
Caleb Williams might be one of the most hyped rookies in NFL history. Between his addition, the addition of Keenan Allen, and the pre-existing talent of DJ Moore, all eyes are on Chicago. However, with great expectations comes great pressure.
Speaking to that point, former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban was caught on film telling Matt Eberflus that getting a breakout season from Caleb Williams this year was "almost impossible." Here's how he put it, according to a clip of "Hard Knocks," via "Get Up."
Nick Saban: [00:02:06] "To me, expectations are a killer. This kid's got so much media, so much hype, so much expectation on doing well. And he has to develop so quickly to meet the expectations that everybody has for him. It's almost impossible." [00:02:24][17.6]
Of course, the question is whether the Bears and Eberflus can resist the temptation to buy into the hype. Also, if they don't buy the hype, they need to brace for hitting their own expectations.
Some may argue that's why other hyped-up teams such as the 2022 Denver Broncos made massive moves during the 2022 season. The pressure on the team to move on from their head coach was immense and ultimately, they caved. If the Bears start slow this season, considering the hype, the pressure might fall on Eberflus first as the biggest holdout from the failed Justin Fields era.
Justin Fields era sets attainable bar for improvement in Caleb Williams era
After the struggle that Chicago Bears fans watched through the Justin Fields era, the bar for improvement is reasonably manageable for Caleb Williams. Fields wrapped his Bears career with a 10-28 record. While he slowly improved year over year, it wasn't enough.
If Caleb Williams were to wish to demolish Fields' win-loss, he should aim for at least 10 wins this season. If he can pull that off, the Bears will have won as many games this season as they won in the entire Justin Fields era. That statistic alone likely would term the Williams era a step in the right direction.
Still, even if he won six games this season, it would be more than Fields won in a single year. Failing that, he would pass Fields' rookie season-winning bar if he won just three games. Speaking on a player level, Williams would need to throw for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions to eclipse Fields' rookie numbers.
Will Caleb Williams dismantle Fields' precedent or will Bears fans find themselves hoping into 2025?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Hard Knocks," "Get Up," and H/T Sportskeeda.