In his rookie season, Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears took a league-high 68 sacks, the most in franchise history, and a telling sign of a poor season for everyone involved.
The Bears prioritized the offensive line this offseason, bringing in three new starting offensive linemen in veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as signing free-agent center Drew Dalman to help fix the interior of the line.
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While the offensive line was a big part of Williams being sacked a franchise-record 68 times, not all the blame falls on the line. Williams took responsibility and blame for his play that allowed some of those sacks, and he understands needing to improve his own play.
Williams recently discussed where he’ll have to develop his game and do better at not allowing opposing defenses to get sacks on him.
“Part of it is my footwork and that lining up with the play,” Williams said. “That helps accelerate the clock for me. The other part is being decisive, making a decision. The other part is also taking what the defense gives me. Not trying to find that big play every time and be the young cat wanting to go get that big play, big scramble play. Sometimes it’s just the check down of the ball, the flat, the second read that may not be something more than five yards.”
While having to learn a new offense, Williams is showing understanding and acknowledgement of areas that are open for improvement in his game. If he can work with new head coach Ben Johnson to fix his timing and decision making, along with the offensive line relationship, there should be a decrease in the amount of sacks allowed on the young Bears quarterback in Year 2.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QB Caleb Williams taking responsibility to limit sacks