Chris Simms has high hopes for Caleb Williams, but can he lead the Bears to success?

Former NFL QB and NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms joins Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Alex Shapiro on the Under Center Podcast to explain why he ranked Caleb Williams as the 20th-best quarterback in the NFL, the highest he has ever ranked rookie QB (1:00). What convinced Simms that Williams is the real deal (4:05)? The guys dive deep into what Williams needs to do to maximize his talent, the pitfalls to avoid, and what Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can do to help him grow (6:09). What are realistic expectations for Caleb Williams? Can he lead the Bears to success? The discussion is packed with expert insights and debate. Plus, hear Simms' expectations for Rome Odunze's rookie year (26:35).
#ChicagoBears #CalebWilliams #RomeOdunze #ShaneWaldron
📱Get the NBC Sports Chicago App:
Google Play: trib.al/WrMXSDP
Apple Store: trib.al/x7nIm69
► Listen to our podcasts: www.nbcsportsc...
► Find us on Instagram: / nbcschicago
► Like on Facebook: / nbcschicago
► Follow on X: / nbcschicago
► Follow on TikTok: / nbcschicago

[@GreyingIllini]

Sims is often right. Let’s hope this is one of those times.

[@dodu8281]

in 10 years is only big miss is zach wilson. pretty good record. he had josh allen and lamar jackson over the josh rosen or sam darnold. he was one of the few who had mahomes one while most experts had watson or trubisky. one of the few who had jordan love and justin herbert over tua. last year he had cj stroud in a tier by himself over bryce young. so u should feel confident.

[@rhdtv2002]

@@dodu8281imagine if Zach takes off at Denver. He has the bigger arm needed in Denver that Bo Nix doesn’t carry

[@wayneparr7571]

Poles said it best when he stated with Justin we would win with him. With Caleb we will win because of him!

[@mr.fukk12]

Yea fields could have won as a game manager but I don’t think he’s even capable of doing that cause he couldn’t ever find the wide open man. He was trash as hell and annoying to watch

[@jamestyrrell5315]

Simms is the best football analyst out there! Enjoy his enthusiasm!

[@buffalobob870]

Fields was the best talent I had seen in a Bears uniform at qb but after watching so many breakdowns of Caleb I totally understand the decision and my hope and expectations have never been higher

[@amazondoobie]

Oh no, you just lost qualifications and you’re making William sound like he’s gonna be a failure. Fields had almost as many fumbles as touchdown passes. Obviously, you couldn’t see the field for the fields.

[@catcherboy96]

@@amazondoobie you lay one stat and ignore that fields had the best rushing qb season ever from a qb. thats a serious feat that bears fans have never even come close to seeing.

[@illinimcg7075]

Simms being spot on everything with regard to Caleb and Justin. Not shocked.

[@toxickingchristian2645]

How has Kenneth been talking about Rome for 4 months and still can’t pronounce his name right 😭😭

[@Chi-Guy]

Actually, it’s the Roger’s effect!!! Caleb grew up idolizing Aaron Rogers! Caleb would literally digested many hours of Roger’s play style!

[@splunge743]

Rogers also was able to ride the pine for several years before playing. I wish we had such a situation. Go Bears.

[@derickbeltran8263]

Hell yea Chris Simms speak your truth. Claws up! 🐻 down baby!

[@alexamerling79]

BEAR DOWN! I love Simms. He knows his stuff.

[@ashitaka.kodama]

Great episode. Great perspective.

[@keithhunley1127]

Great Simms info. Thanks for the information 🎉go Bears go!!!

[@tyreepowell8367]

Caleb Williams Is Here To Win Football 🏈 Games For The Bears 🐻🧡💙

[@barryturner2902]

Caleb certainly looks the part of a GENERATIONAL QB! Thanks, Chris! Steady improvement, CW!

[@ZeeBears64]

One of your best shows guys 💯

[@FQD1911]

I have never heard Simms speak on Fields like this…crazy. CW to the 🌕

[@LC-hn6nk]

He disliked fields’ anticipation and mechanics coming out of college, I remember watching it in the moment and being frustrated about it but now after the fact with hindsight, he was completely right. So when he says his about CW, to me that’s huge.

[@DefaultTunbName]

Common Simms W

[@electric8668]

I think NBC losing Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox should replace them with track and field, gymnastics and other various sports played in the Olympics. It's time to give those sports the higher profile they deserve.

[@g13magurany]

I’ve seen it too many times as a bears fan and our QBs. With that being said, if we are drafting a new Qb in 3yrs then I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. Though I hope Caleb can be that guy for us and get it done! Trying to be positive/realistic about it.

[@keithhunley1127]

Chris man you are awesome thank you for all,all the QB stuff is great thanks for the insights or ins and outs the nuances

[@GKA11111]

Chris simms is the goat… there is no better analyst

[@Its_YourImagination]

Chris Simms is simply one of the best !!!

[@jpzellar]

Simms got me Bears drunk. And as always… number 1 Schrock fan

[@travisgreen1391]

Every single 1 of Justin's fans need to hear this.. he's dead on point..

[@caseyolin4962]

Luv your shirt Ken!!

[@K1forMVP]

I think some in the media are over hyping Caleb Williams. Williams NFL Comp is Kyler Murray, but Williams isn’t close to as good as Kyler was coming out, granted being 5”10 1/2-220LBs as special as he was coming out he would of been talked about as the 2nd coming of QB John Elway. Williams played a lot of soft defenses at USC that to often have him trouble to much trouble passing, USC was a losing squad with him at QB and Williams offers very little as a runner, where as a QB like Murray has both elite passing skills and also is an elite 1,000K runner. Williams struggles stay on schedule and isn’t a great processor, to often if his first read isn’t there he either forced the throw or back peddles n runs out of the pocket until he finds his open receiver. In the NFL he’s not going to have that luxury, unlike K1 Caleb Williams doesn’t have elite speed n elusiveness to avoid the rush. These rushers will track him down and look to punish him. Williams is going to have to hike his skills to throw on time in rhythm as the last thing u want is a Nick Bosa or massive 6”5-285lb DE Darius Williams making house calls n folding up your QB Like a Lawnchair. Long story short I don’t see Caleb Williams having a whole lot of success this season, I think he’s going to struggle processing n seeing the field a bit . I had similar concerns about Trevor Lawerence n his issues which became reality soon after being drafted!!!!! Williams is in the same boat and I honestly he’d benefit greatly if they sit him for half the season n work on his ability to quickly process slash read defenses n make the right reads before taking over the reins.

[@jonspengler5891]

😂

[@javelldunn3379]

I love Chris Simms bears down

[@dcallahan713]

This made me go from 6 to midnight

[@oluwoleshominure5491]

Time will tell.

[@BratatoChip]

Why is Herbert never mentioned as having one of that beet rookie seasons of all time because he literally did. Statistically.

[@bear5141]

Drake May is Mitch trubisky 2.0 but I think Mitch is a better quarterback end up being a being a backup quarterback even though Mitch is already a backup already which I look for the day Drake May to be a backup to very soon if he's Evan in the league in a few years

[@spaceghost8995]

Why is he SHOUTING ?

[@BrandonBias-xj7ir]

Because he's excited why don't you like the bears

[@fatchops5113]

Chris’ up and down eye dance is exhausting to watch

[@tyreepowell8367]

Chicago Is The Best Fit For Caleb Williams

[@christopherhill7843]

Bears will go 14-3 and go to the Superbowl. Next year, we will go back to back, but lose to mahomes after defeating him this year. Then we go again 4x in a row and win them all 😂😂😂

[@user-cq8pe4hc3x]

GO polar Bears 🐻 🐻‍❄..uniforms Bear down

[@woodstocknation1961]

Poles will get another chance to clean house in Chicago 😂. but after that he will be somewhere else learning about physical football

[@ttaylor758]

The answer is a resounding NO

[@eriklyons9547]

Found Justin fields burner !!!! Go be great with the Steelers fam !!!

[@samuelrivera23]

Take over the world

[@amazondoobie]

Yeah, let’s ask one of the worst quarterbacks to ever play the game to be an expert on quarterback play. First of all, he’s really jealous of good quarterbacks. I think this guy was picked in like one of the later rounds, but he obviously shouldn’t have been picked at all. He must’ve been given a chance because he was white? He said it’s stupider as an expert quarterback then he was as a quarterback

[@blubottleo3282]

Doesn’t mean he can’t be a good NFL analyst. Shane Waldron was never a QB but he has keen eye on qbs, worked with Goff, Wilson, and revived Geno Smiths career.

[@SurvivalistAmber]

Caleb Williams is a future journeyman backup. Everyone called me an idiot when I said the same thing about Fields. Well…🤷‍♀️ On a brighter note, the Bears have a good chance of a 3peat with the number one overall pick. 😃

[@jonspengler5891]

Butker has some good advice for you

[@SurvivalistAmber]

@@jonspengler5891 I agree that it is indeed advice by definition.