The Preseason Doesn’t Mean Much At All, But Caleb Williams’ Talent Is Already Exploding Off The Screen

Having just made comparisons between the eerily reminiscent, rookie-year preseason excitement generated by Jayden Daniels and Zach Wilson, I recognize there’s a little hypocrisy with how I’m about to proceed here re: Caleb Williams. But I’m sorry, this man is just built different.

Not to take anything away from Daniels getting all kinds of love for a 50-50 deep ball to Dyami Brown, or for coasting into the end zone from inside the 5-yard line with nary a Jets defender in his vicinity. He made the plays. He deserves credit. However, Daniels’ Heisman Trophy-winning predecessor and the only man drafted ahead of him this year was decidedly more impressive in his ampler opportunities on Saturday.

Williams already has more successful full-field reads than Justin Fields has in his entire NFL career. It breaks my heart to write that but that’s just the truth. Fields could never do this, aka what Williams did on his first-ever NFL completion of any kind in any game situation.

I thought I might’ve been a little too bullish on Williams for already ranking him with the sixth-strongest arm in the entire league. Now I’m starting to think I may have underestimated him some.

Forget this ridiculous arm angle screen pass that resulted in a massive gain, which is uncanny shades of Patrick Mahomes.

The cackle-inducing laser that Williams put on a frozen rope — lasers are hot, that’s probably an oxymoron, I don’t care, shut up — in this here highlight hammers home one of many reasons he was the no-brainer No. 1 overall pick.

Some of the easiest gas on the pigskin you’ll ever see. I mean yeah, he ripped it, but to put the ball on that much of a line that far downfield? Straight-up silly.

Even when the Bills did get the Bears in 3rd and long, Williams showed off his dual-threat capabilities on a first-down scramble.

Looks like that Hard Knocks Slip ‘N Slide paid off!

Williams’ stat line was marred by a couple drops from Cole Kmet and DJ Moore, but stats really aren’t anything in the preseason. It’s more about the so-called eye test. Caleb Williams passed it in spades, quarterback pun intended.

We’ll see what happens when the real games start. I’m not 100% convinced Williams will be an instant superstar. You can’t really say that about anyone, particularly by basing it off anything from an exhibition game. However, I’m as sure of Williams ultimately thriving in the NFL as I have been of anyone in my lifetime. His physical tool set, relentless competitiveness and desire to be great are undeniable.