Caleb Williams is Russell Wilson (in more ways than you might think)

[nobody 2,881]

I don't know if this is a new or unique perspective, but as I was driving home from the gym (chest and triceps with some legs thrown in plus of course the glamour muscles as always - bicep and abs), it dawned on me that caleb Williams is Russell wilson.

Their play styles are similar sure.  They both like to hold on to the ball in hopes of generating a big play.  They're both a bit undersized.  They both have some ability to use the legs.  They have a nice deep ball. 

But the play style isn't what drew me to the comparison.  They both have a way of coming off as too image-focused.  And I know there isn't a lot of noise around Caleb on this front... Yet, but I think there will be between the whole crying with his mom in the stands, wearing the dress and painting his nails, etc.  Russell has the same issue in a different way. He comes off as super corny and fake because he seems so concerned about his image with the corny self-given nicknames, the propensity to self-aggrandize his work ethic.

In Mr. unlimited's case, it became his downfall.  Teammates turned on him and then eventually coaches.  I think it's likely because he comes off as fake and produced.  

In my eyes, Caleb is heading down the same path.  Just watching him, he seems hyper-aware of people watching him and his actions come off as produced for media effect.  This will end up capping his ceiling.  Teammates need to trust and like each other for optimal results.  When his teammates start rolling their eyes at caleb and his brand, his time will be over.  And we're already seeing signs of that.  DJ moore walking off the field in the middle of a play, for instance.  Hopefully for him, his play can overcome his personality quirks, but it only lasted so long for DangeRuss.  It won't last forever for Caleb either.

I'd sell my dynasty stock in him.  

 

[Maximum Overkill 2,435]

37 minutes ago, nobody said:

I'd sell my dynasty stock in him.

No way, he's a Superflex League winner waiting to happen. Don't confuse real life and fantasy, he can run it. 

[jrokh 615]

If he has the same or similar career to Russ, why wouldn't you want that?

[nobody 2,881]

I would, but he appears to be more annoying than russ which means he probably will flame out sooner.  

 

[LaChup 256]

Thoth aren't painted nails, they're bear clawth.

[JagFan 193]

On 5/29/2025 at 9:22 PM, LaChup said:

Thoth aren't painted nails, they're bear clawth.

Thannon Tharp, is that you?

[Vikings4ever 568]

2 hours ago, JagFan said:

Thannon Tharp, is that you?

Jeff Garthia would like a word.

[Ray_T 786]

On 5/29/2025 at 5:43 PM, jrokh said:

If he has the same or similar career to Russ, why wouldn't you want that?

yep. Russ was pretty good.   its only in recent years his game had to change as he got older and couldnt run the ball like he could before.   Today,  hes basically a drop back pocket passer now who can occasionally run when the occasion calls for it.  

not the running dual threat QB he was to start his career.

think Alex Smith who was capable of running but didnt do so with all that much regularity.  I think he peaked at 4 or 500 yards rushing. but most years was closer to 200 or so.

either way, the early part of his career he was a fantasy darling.    and thats not bad

[JagFan 193]

Jamarcus Russell Wilson 

[edjr 6,898]

he sucks so bad  

[Maximum Overkill 2,435]

He's got happy feet. Needs to fix that 

[listen2me 23 1,952]

The 3 piece article that came out on Caleb, Poles, and the Bears tells the whole story.  

If he drops his ego and decides to not be lazy, Ben Johnson could fix him.  But those are big ifs for that guy.  

[nobody 2,881]

4 hours ago, listen2me 23 said:

The 3 piece article that came out on Caleb, Poles, and the Bears tells the whole story.  

If he drops his ego and decides to not be lazy, Ben Johnson could fix him.  But those are big ifs for that guy.  

it seems like a lot if the story is behind a paywall and I can't find many of the juicy bits. 

I love those behind-the-scenes fock it, I'm telling you everything stories.

[Chickie 80]

They should’ve kept Fields

[Maximum Overkill 2,435]

24 Fantasy Points, GOLD 

[Maximum Overkill 2,435]

Caleb Williams when throwing to his first read this season (including screens):

9.4 YPA (~QB2)
122.2 Passer Rating (~QB2)
0.69 Fantasy Points per Dropback (~QB3)
 

[SaintsInDome2006 650]

That’s a great OP by the way.

I hated Williams in college, derided him last year. I liked Williams this year only because of Ben Johnson. These days IMO good systems produce good QBs. He’s definitely underwhelmed most weeks, but then Johnson has strongly improved the run game. Still a good schedule moving forward.

[Ray_T 786]

On 9/9/2025 at 11:21 AM, Chickie said:

They should’ve kept Fields

I'm not sure fields is the answer either.

Fields is an adequate starting QB.   but not a championship calibre starting QB.  if the goal is to win a championship, the move to Caleb seemed logical.  kid had considerable upside andI do think there is still considerable upside.    and more than Fields had.

fields first season  7 TD 10 INT playing 12 games

his second season 17 TD 11 INT playing 15 games.   and the pass yardage in both years wasnt great.

as a rookie Caleb had 20 TD and 6 INT and 3500 yards passing

This year he has 12 TD and 4 INT and so far 1900 yards passing in 8 games which pro rates to a 4000 yard season. (roughly)

Fields has never thrown for 3000 yards in his career.   though likely would have hit 3000 (barely) in the 2023 season if he had played all the games 

I know Fields gets more yards on the ground, but still, thats not elite play.

The big difference is Caleb actually seems to do a better job of looking after the ball and still puts up a decent amount of yardage.    dont get me wrong, he still has things to work on, but I do think he has the ability to be a good starting QB at some point in the future.    I'm not sure he will ever be elite, but he looks like he may eventually be good enough that if they can draft and upgrade the defense to a point where it is elite or close to it, they may have a chance to contend.

of course the Jury is still out on that.  but the numbers are better already and Caleb is younger.   

for the record, I'm not a fan of either player.   but based on the numbers and metrics I'm looking at, Caleb is further along at this point in his career than Fields was.   and hes a fair bit younger.    as such, I'd have to conclude this was likely the right move.    Was it the best move Chicago could have made?   likely not.  but it was a better move than keeping Fields would have been.

 

[Maximum Overkill 2,435]

On 9/9/2025 at 1:21 PM, Chickie said:

They should’ve kept Fields

The Bears are 5-3, one game out of 1st place and probably in first place after this week.  

I doubt they're missing Fields.