C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams
a matchup of present versus future at quarterback
Texans’ Stroud has helped franchise back to success. Bears hope Williams will do the same.
CHICAGO – The regular-season debut of Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is behind him, and that’s a good thing for both Williams and the Bears.
There’s no sugarcoating that Williams – the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in April – struggled throughout a season-opening 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on Sunday. He rushed throws. He missed open receivers. He made bad decisions while trying to extend plays.
Yep. Not good.
One career start, however, does not a career make. On Sunday, Williams gets his second chance to make a better impression as the Houston Texans host the Bears at NRG Stadium.
For any highly touted first-year passer, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud provides a great role model.
Stroud, selected second overall in the 2023 draft, is roundly viewed as the game’s fastest-rising quarterback. After leading the Texans to the AFC South title and a wild-card playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns last season, Stroud was selected as the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The choice was a no-brainer.
Now, the Texans, who opened on the road with a 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, are considered to have one the league’s strongest rosters. Stroud is at the top of it, and the Bears hope Williams will show progress in his first road test against a top-notch team.
Although Bears coach Matt Eberflus acknowledges Williams must improve, he is not worried about Williams lacking the mettle to rebound from his rough opening outing.
“I don’t think there was any anxiety. He was calm, cool and collected the whole time. Never got frustrated,” Eberflus said after the Bears rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second quarter.
“We always talk to him about the response you have of just hanging in there, because sometimes it can get rough on both sides. You’ve just got to hang in there. You’ve got to have that belief … the belief in the man next to you, belief in your teammates. It’s not just about one guy.”
Over the long haul, however, quarterbacks have an outsize role in a team’s performance. That’s why the Bears used the top pick in the draft to select the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of USC.
It would be unreasonable for the Bears to have buyer’s remorse after only one game. But Williams, well, he has plenty of room to grow.
Williams completed only 14 passes in 29 attempts for 93 passing yards – an average of a paltry 3.2 yards per attempt – with no touchdown passes. On a positive note for Williams, he didn’t commit a turnover.
Clearly disappointed in his performance after the game, Williams nonetheless believes he’s not far off from finding his groove.
“There are small things that always lead up to big things, make those moments and things like that a lot bigger, that make games a lot closer,” Williams said. “Just the small things.”
In the Texans’ win over the Colts, Stroud performed superbly at matters big and small.
The former Ohio State star completed 24 of 32 passes for 234 passing yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. With 11 victories during its past 18 games, Houston has matched its win total from the previous three regular seasons combined, a span of 50 games.
Moving to bolster their receiving corps to maximize their star quarterback’s talents, the Texans acquired All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills in April. Diggs caught both of Stroud’s touchdown passes against the Colts.
During his rookie season, Stroud exhibited poise beyond his experience. As impressed as the Texans were with his talent, they were even happier about Stroud’s determination to lead and set a positive example from the moment he joined the franchise. To say the Texans believe they nailed it on the drafting of Stroud would be a massive understatement.
Before the draft, renowned quarterback coach Quincy Avery expressed confidence that the team that picked Stroud would wind up being very pleased. Based on the Texans’ reaction to Stroud, it’s as if Avery had a crystal ball.
“C.J. is just so diligent in his work ethic,” Avery, who has known Stroud since the passer was 17, told Andscape.
“There are just very few people who work as hard as C.J., and you really saw it when he was 17. When he came into [a quarterback camp at which Avery was an instructor], nobody really looked at him like, ‘Oh, man, this guy is gonna be super-special.’ He came into the situation where we’re [the camp coaches] all like, ‘He might be OK.’ Then, he absolutely dominated.
“And every quarterback was there. Guys you see playing in the league now. At Ohio State, C.J. did the same thing. He just keeps attacking. Now that he’s in the NFL, he’s just continued that. When someone prepares as hard as C.J. does, is just so diligent in their work ethic, that’s when you see the fruits of that labor.”
For the Texans, Stroud’s labor has helped to produce much of their recent success. The Bears are counting on Williams to produce similarly.
**C.J. Stroud vs. Caleb Williams: A Matchup of Present vs. Future at Quarterback**
**CHICAGO** – The NFL landscape is buzzing as the Houston Texans host the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium this Sunday, featuring a compelling quarterback duel between present success and future potential. Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud, the 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, faces off against Caleb Williams, the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Williams’ debut was a challenging one. Despite leading the Bears to a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, his performance was marked by rushed throws, missed opportunities, and poor decisions. With just one start under his belt, Williams is poised for a critical test in his second game, aiming to showcase growth against a formidable opponent.
Stroud, selected second overall in the 2023 draft, has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s brightest young talents. After a standout rookie season, including leading the Texans to an AFC South title and a playoff win, Stroud is now a cornerstone of Houston’s promising future. His impressive start to this season, highlighted by a 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts, underscores his continued ascent.
The Bears are optimistic about Williams’ potential despite his rocky start. Coach Matt Eberflus expressed confidence in Williams’ ability to rebound, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and team belief. “He was calm, cool, and collected the whole time. Never got frustrated,” Eberflus noted, stressing the need for resilience and trust in teammates.
Williams completed only 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards in his debut, but he remained turnover-free and is focused on refining the small details that can significantly impact his performance. “There are small things that always lead up to big things,” Williams said, acknowledging his need for improvement while staying optimistic about his development.
In contrast, Stroud’s strong performance against the Colts, with 24 completions for 234 yards and two touchdowns, reflects his readiness and skill. The Texans’ acquisition of All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs further amplifies Stroud’s effectiveness, with Diggs catching both of Stroud’s touchdown passes.
Stroud’s work ethic and dedication have impressed many, including quarterback coach Quincy Avery, who praised Stroud’s relentless preparation and determination. “C.J. is just so diligent in his work ethic,” Avery said, highlighting Stroud’s continued success and growth from his early days to the NFL.
As the Texans and Bears face off, Stroud’s established success and Williams’ promising future will be on full display, making for an exciting clash of quarterbacks that could shape the narrative of their respective franchises for years to come.