Howie Long Sees John Elway in Caleb Williams After Bears' Statement Win
Caleb Williams led the Chicago Bears to a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, demonstrating mobility and benefiting from improved offensive line protection under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Caleb Williams delivered enough in the Chicago Bears' 31-24 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday that analyst Howie Long reached for one of football's most illustrious comparisons.
"You know what he is? He's John Elway from my generation. Now, John Elway, he didn't light it on fire right away initially. Obviously, [he went on to have] a great career."
Long's assessment came on "FOX NFL Kickoff" following the Bears' win that pushed their record to 9-3, holding a half-game lead over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.
A Functional, Not Spectacular Performance
Williams didn't dazzle statistically against Philadelphia. He completed just 17 of 36 passes (47.2%), threw one touchdown and an interception, and faced constant pressure from the Eagles' defensive line. But his legs told a different story—he kept plays alive and extended possessions through sheer mobility.
The Offensive Line Transformation
The most significant change in Williams' second season hasn't been the quarterback himself—it's the protection around him. The Bears' revamped offensive line returned only one starter from last year, and the numbers show dramatic improvement:
- Rookie season: 68 sacks in 17 games (4 per game)
- Current season: 19 sacks through 12 games (1.6 per week)
Long noted Williams' comfort level operating in space: "He's running all over the place. Usually, you say with a quarterback, particularly a mobile quarterback, make him go to his left. He's as comfortable rolling to his left, turning his hips."
Culture Shift Under Johnson
The Bears brought in first-year head coach Ben Johnson, an offensive-minded strategist, to spark a turnaround after a dismal rookie season for Williams. The formula is working. Long credited Johnson's dual approach of challenging both the team and the quarterback individually.
"Caleb is starting to buy in. [Johnson] challenged the team, but he also challenged the quarterback."
The Bears sit atop the NFC North with a blueprint that prioritizes protecting its young franchise quarterback and empowering him to operate in rhythm—a stark contrast to last season's chaos.
