Bears’ Matt Eberflus Reveals Message to Caleb Williams Amid Rookie QB’s Struggles | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Caleb Williams, the No. 1 draft pick and rookie quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has struggled from the start, completing just 56.1 percent of his passes for 267 yards and two interceptions (no touchdowns) in two games.

The immensely talented, promising quarter-caller has only played eight quarters, however, and he likely has a lot of good football ahead of him. Meanwhile, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus revealed to reporters what the message is for the ex-USC star.

“Just be steady,” Eberflus said (h/t Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago). “The NFL, if you want to ride the roller coaster, you can, but you don’t have to. You’ve got to be steady. You’ve got to make sure you’re making plays and you’re processing and those things are coming together.”

Eberflus added: “Caleb is 22 years old and he’s going through this for the first time, and he’s learning that process. He has a good plan. He just has to stick to it, do his own thing. You can listen to this, that or the other. You can’t listen to the outside noise. You have to do it right, do it right and you get the right result. He does.”

It’s not uncommon for starting quarterbacks who eventually become stars to struggle. Examples include Peyton and Eli Manning, Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman and Donovan McNabb, among many others. Not everyone can be Patrick Mahomes, who won an NFL MVP in his first full year as a starter.

Additionally, Williams is dealing with a struggling pass-protection unit, particularly in Week 2 during a 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans. Schrock provided more details:

“He played much better in Week 2, but was the victim of a porous Bears offensive line that sacked him seven times and pressured him on 23 of 48 dropbacks against the Houston Texans, according to Next Gen Stats. The Bears’ offensive line ranks 30th in pass-block win rate through two weeks, according to ESPN Stats.”

Ultimately, there’s no reason for anyone in Halas Hall (or Bears fans) to hit the panic button. For now, Williams and the 1-1 Bears are focused on getting back to .500 when they visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.