Kirk Herbstreit, Caleb Williams
Getty Images (2)Thursday night football analyst Kirk Herbstreit used Thursday, December 26’s battle between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks to question the leadership of the Bears’ starting quarterback Caleb Williams – leaving many viewers at home confused.
Herbstreit, 55, was called into Thursday night’s game, a scrappy affair in which the Seahawks emerged victorious by a final score of 6-3 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
During the third quarter, Herbstreit turned his attention to Williams, 23, who the Bears selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I think the thing that remains to be seen – and only time will tell – is whether he understands what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, as far as the preparation, as far as the first guy there, the last man leaving,” Herbstreit reflected. broadcasting partner Al Michaels.
Herbstreit then explained that he had no real reason to question anything about Williams and his integrity within the Bears facility.
“I’m not suggesting he doesn’t do those things,” he continued, “just the little things that really make the great quarterbacks special.”
Herbstreit’s comments did not sit well with many on social media, especially Bears fans.
One wrote via X“Kirk Herbstreit suggested that it is still uncertain whether Caleb Williams can handle the preparation and the type of guy who is the first in and the last out. He then noted that he hasn’t heard anything to indicate Williams isn’t that type of player. So why bring it up at all?”
Another said van Herbstreit: “Why would you suggest he isn’t putting in the time unless you have an idea whether he is or not?”
“Kirk Herbstreit clearly hasn’t done any prep work for the Bears and Caleb’s season thus far,” one viewer derived.
It’s been a tough season for Williams and the Bears, who lost their tenth straight game on Thursday night, dropping to 4-12, the second-worst record in the NFC.
Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images All eyes are on Caleb Williams during his rookie season in the NFL as the Chicago Bears quarterback, but it’s nothing he isn’t already used to. The former USC star quarterback won the 2022 Heisman Trophy and entered last football season as one of the most marketable athletes in college football at […]
Williams finished the game against the Seahawks 16-for-28 for 122 yards and one interception. As the clock ran, the quarterback and his teammates were booed off the field during their final home game of the season.
“It’s my first year. Their frustrations go back a lot longer than I’ve been here,” Williams told reporters after the game. “My job is to go out there and win games, and you know, we don’t focus on outside noise.”
He continued, “Fans will sometimes cheer and maybe boo, and you can’t respond to that. It’s not something we respond to. We have a job to do.”
The Bears close the season on Sunday, January in Green Bay against the Packers.