In today’s NFL, expectations for quarterbacks have never been higher, especially for those taken in the first round. Take any first-round quarterback from the last five years: Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, Kenny Pickett, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and so many others. All of them had tremendous pressure put on them to come and flip the script for bad teams.

But why is that? How did it get to this point? And how does that affect new Bears quarterback and No. 1 pick Caleb Williams?

Many people can point fingers at different quarterbacks who found early success, the most recent being the Texans’ C.J. Stroud. Looking for the origin of the immediately successful quarterback recently, it seems most likely that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is the starting point for those changes. 

Herbert did not start the first game of his rookie campaign, as journeyman Tyrod Taylor was the starter against Cincinnati in Week 1. However, after Taylor fell to injury, Herbert’s number was called for the remainder of the year.

The Chargers never looked back. Herbert went on to throw for over 4,300 yards, 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. He broke multiple rookie passing records as well as earning the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Following his historic rookie season, Herbert was seen as a franchise quarterback and the head of a new generation of quarterbacks. A generation of quarterbacks that didn’t have to ride the bench for years before touching the field. 

Mac Jones and Brock Purdy both had pretty stellar rookie seasons in consecutive years following, but last year’s No. 2 pick really solidified what Herbert began. Stroud had a rough first two weeks but finished on fire in 2023. 

Stroud had over 4,000 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He led the Houston Texans to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and even won a game. Once again, a quarterback fresh out of college came into the NFL and looked great, breaking records and winning awards. 

While only two notable quarterbacks have wowed from day one, the league isn’t going to stop trying. Rookie seasons like Lamar, Kyler, Mac and Brock’s are still more than encouraging. Given the Chicago Bears and their infamous quarterback history, they will keep trying as well. 

The Bears tried and failed with Justin Fields, Mitch Trubisky and Rex Grossman, to name a few. But when Roger Goodell called Caleb Willaims’ name in Detroit, Bears fans’ broken hearts healed just a bit. A ray of hope shined through the dark clouds of past quarterbacks. 

For the first time since 1947, the Bears selected a player at No. 1 overall. And not just any player. A quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and had his number retired at USC. Obviously, a player like that has huge expectations coming into the league. 

Williams was constantly compared to Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in college. His ability to escape the pocket and create big plays is comparable, but the expectations are out of hand. They have risen so much for quarterbacks lately, and it isn’t fair to put on a first-year player. 

There are plenty of things to point to as reasons to have high expectations for Williams. His aggressiveness is one. However, the simple fact is that he plays for the Chicago Bears.

It’s a franchise that has never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season. A franchise that continues to mishandle quarterbacks. It’s pretty telling that their best quarterback in franchise history played in the 1940s before it was considered a serious position.

With that kind of history, why should Williams be any different? He’s arguably the best quarterback prospect the Bears have gotten their hands on. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t end up like all the others. He’ll have to learn on the run instead of sitting behind a veteran showing him the ropes.

It will be a process and not a short one. Herbert and Stroud are outliers. While so many expect quarterbacks to be good right away, it’s just not reasonable. Quarterbacks need time to develop, and usually a lot of it. 

Williams has the tools and has shown flashes through three weeks. Still, the young quarterback has the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. The expectations just aren’t realistic right now. He’s going to need time and support before he really shines in the league. 

@ben_some16

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