Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams has observed a number of quarterbacks growing up, where his admiration former Green Bay Packers signal caller Aaron Rodgers is no secret. But there’s also another former NFC North quarterback that Williams has admired from afar — and he’s gearing up to face him in Week 4.
Williams said his introduction to former Detroit Lions and now Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford started as he was watching highlights of Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, where Stafford’s play resonated with him.
“It really started watching Megatron, obviously, getting triple-covered and stuff like that,” Williams said. “Then I got a little older and kind of realized how good Matthew Stafford is at his job.”
Williams explained what’s impressed him most about Stafford, which is his understanding and ability to control a game.
“He knows how to get in and out of things efficiently,” Williams said. “He knows where people are going to be. He knows where the defensive players are going to be, so he can move them on a string. Watching him be able to move defenders, be able to move and maneuver in the pocket and still deliver some nice passes down the field or even just getting the ball to your back and allowing him to go to work. Keeping the ball in play. A bunch of different arm angles and things like that.
“He’s been doing it for a while. So watching someone like that who has the success that he’s had, you want to learn from that. It’s going to be exciting.”
The Bears have faced several young quarterbacks in the first three weeks of the season — Tennessee’s Will Levis, Houston’s C.J. Stroud and Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson. Now, they’ll face an establish veteran in Stafford, who will be without his top receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Caleb Williams explains what impresses him most about Matthew Stafford