Bears’ Caleb Williams credits reps, connection with new OC Thomas Brown for recent improvements

It’s a logical explanation for Williams’ increase in production, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Brown’s height. Since the assistant has taken over as the offensive play-caller, the Bears have appeared more organized, protected Williams more consistently and simply performed like a professional offense. Williams has thrived, swapping running for his life under constant pressure for more confident and accurate passing. He still plays with his legs and plays sharp football; now the rest of the offense is helping him out, nearly leading the Bears to an upset over the NFC North rival Vikings last Sunday.

“Our connection — my playing ability and his coaching I think has connected pretty well so far,” Williams said of Brown. “He’s done a great job of understanding me, even though we haven’t had many conversations in the past, many opportunities to do something like that. I think he’s done a great job of understanding me and the players we have on this team. I think that will continue to grow. We go into this week and face this challenge will be another proof of that.”

Despite losing five straight, the Bears are operating with renewed optimism after proving to be a tough matchup in their last two games, both divisional games against NFC contenders ranked above them in the NFC North standings. Their road won’t get any easier as they embark on a brutal stretch that includes two games against the 10-1 Detroit Lions, trips to San Francisco, Minnesota and Green Bay and a home date against Seattle.

The final results may not indicate a bright future, but Williams has silenced her doubters in her last two matches. The only question Bears fans have now: Would things be different if Brown had been the OC all along?

“If you don’t have somebody jumping in halfway through the season, you get a better opportunity to understand them, talk to them more, be around them and their family a lot more,” Williams said. “It would have helped, but that’s not the situation. It’s week three with Thomas. The fact that we go out there and perform well helps our relationship. We have the open communication that we have during games and on the training ground and in the premises is just to build it.”

Williams is right – wondering what might have been is a waste of time for these bears. They have their franchise quarterback in place, and their eyes are rightly trained on the future, which looks much more promising after the last two weeks.