There are so many reasons to love the path the Chicago Bears are following. One of the biggest is former USC Trojan Caleb Williams' ascent. This team is looking more and more like a Super Bowl contender; however, one glaring area for improvement remains.
Here is what we learned about Caleb Williams and the Bears following their Week 7 win:
Everyone is finally buying into Caleb Williams
There were many doubters in the beginning and many people ready to throw the bust title at Caleb Williams after his rookie season. Fast forward to now, the Caleb Williams doubters and haters are extinct. Caleb Williams is undeniable, and it is clear as day that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He has massively improved on his weaknesses. With his elevated play, the Chicago Bears are a tougher beast
to tame now. The ceiling is much higher with the version of Caleb Williams we are seeing now.
Luther Burden is Caleb Williams best weapon
It only took 4 catches for Luther Burden to have 130 yards against the New England Patriots. He is the best weapon on the Bears. If he gets the football nearly as much as he should, he will be a 1000 yard receiver with ease. Caleb Williams trusts him to make the big plays, and as the season goes on, Ben Johnson will ensure he gets 10 targets a game. Luther Burden has answered who the Bears' top receiver is with his play the last 2 weeks. Ben Johnson has his Amon-Ra St. Brown in Chicago in Luther Burden.
D'Andre Swift deserves more credit
Swift has not been fully healthy this season, and he has still shown his toughness. Missing Kyle Munaagi is a huge blow to the run game; however, Swift has ensured the run game has stayed afloat. In Week 7, Swift ran for 78 yards and a touchdown. He has been a reliable piece for the Bears offense and one of the more underrated players in the league. He deserves way more credit than he gets.
Dennis Allen has been just as good of a coach as Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson gets a lot of the credit for how good the Bears have been in his tenure. However, this season, more than ever, Dennis Allen has a Bears defense dealing with a ton of injuries, exceeding expectations. He has covered up the Bears' flaws and gotten the most out of the hand he has been dealt. When he got Kyler Gordon back, the impact Gordon made was immediate. People shine a lot of light on defensive coaches like Brian Flores and Steve Spagnuolo, but Dennis Allen needs to be in those same conversations.
It is time to bench Jaylon Johnson
The Bears' defense has been really good this season, but their biggest weakness still has been evident. Jaylon Johnson has shown in each game an inability to make critical tackles and stay with anyone in coverage. He has been the weakest link and at times cost the Bears defense elite performances. The Bears are not going to get that same All-Pro level play from Jaylon Johnson. He has lost a step, and he is not the same player from his most recent injury. Whoever the backup is, would give the Bears more effort and be an upgrade in coverage. It is a tough decision to make, but it is the one necessary for the Bears' defense to reach their ceiling.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Caleb Williams is elevating the Bears and their ceiling with his play
