Bears News: Caleb Williams leans on O-line, prepares for Vikings' aggressive defense

Mark Hoffman - USA Today Sports

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 8 hours ago

CHICAGO - So far in his young career, quarterback Caleb Williams is winless against the Minnesota Vikings.

However, he is hoping that changes will occur on Monday. Sept. 8 (7:15 p.m. / ABC) with a new head coach and offensive scheme, as well as an improved offensive line.

“My guys here, they’ve been awesome. They’ve been great. We got guys like (left guard) Joe Thuney and (center) Drew Dalman and (right guard) Jonah Jackson that have played many big games and many games for other teams, been in different schemes, been with other quarterbacks. So, they give me a lot of knowledge and obviously, they hold up protection with the best of them. So, do I feel good back there? I feel great and excited to get to go to war with them and then (left tackle) Braxton (Jones), he’s been my left tackle since I’ve been here,” Williams said. “So, I feel great about it. I’m happy that he’s out there. I know he’s excited to get back out there after what happened last year and I’m excited for him and I try to encourage and give him the best belief in himself and any feedback that we have between each other, we talk about it. But other than that, I’m excited for these guys up front to be able to showcase what they got.”

Minnesota’s defense, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, loves to blitz. In fact, the Vikings had two players last season who blitzed on more than 100 plays. For comparison, linebacker T.J. Edwards was brought in the most on a blitz for the Bears last season, and that only happened on 50 plays.

Williams enters Monday’s game having experienced what it is like to play against this defense twice before, but it will still be a difficult matchup given Minnesota's talent.

“They blitz more than any other team on any other down. They load up the box. They typically want many rushers rushing the QB, as many one-on-ones at the least that they can have and I think they play well together. They got a very savvy, savvy vet, 22 (safety Harrison Smith). Playing versus him, it’s been fun but also a learning experience for me. It was one of the first times that, last year and I had to adjust to it. But last year, when I checked a play, he checked and I end up checking back and forth. So, it’s playing that game of cat and mouse and he’s been doing it for so many years and so, they got a bunch of good guys over there,” Williams said. “Seven (cornerback Byron Murphy), they obviously got the new guys on the d-line and things like that and then also, 58 (linebacker Jonathan Greenard). He’s a beast and so, being able to maintain those guys and go out there and execute our game plan and be able to go out there and be efficient with the ball is really important for us.”

Going into this game, Bears fans probably want to see some trick plays and chunk plays that are typical of a Ben Johnson offense.

However, Williams is going into this game focused on doing what he needs to do, nothing more and nothing less.

“There’s no big plays that need (to) necessarily (be) made. We need to go out there and do our job. We need to run our routes the right depth. We need to be able to hold up in protection and things like that and I need to be able to deliver the ball whether it’s under pressure or not,” Williams said. “Other than that, getting the ball out of my hands and allowing our guys to be able to go out there and make plays and be special, which they are.”