Colin Cowherd: Caleb Williams, Bears Heading Toward a Divorce

Sports commentator Colin Cowherd has expressed strong doubts about the compatibility between rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson following the team's 52–21 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Cowherd believes Williams struggles when deviating from structured plays, comparing him to a studio musician unprepared for live performance or a comedian overly reliant on writers.

Despite a strong start in Week 1, where Williams completed his first 10 passes and scored a rushing touchdown, his performance declined as the game progressed. Similar issues arose in the Lions game, where an early touchdown was followed by ineffective offensive execution, with the Bears failing to score on seven of their next eight possessions.

Cowherd emphasized that Williams lacks consistency in accuracy, anticipation, and composure—qualities he considers essential for success in the NFL. He contrasted Williams with Jared Goff, whom Johnson successfully developed in Detroit, noting that Goff excels in timing and structure despite not being mobile.

Cowherd predicted the partnership is unlikely to succeed and suggested the Bears may eventually move on from Williams, though he acknowledged the quarterback's talent might flourish elsewhere. He compared the situation to struggling franchises like the Jets and Browns, where constant changes fail to resolve deeper issues.