Caleb Williams’ TD pass to D.J. Moore vs. Panthers shows his NFL progress already

Bears’ touchdown drive before halftime against Panthers a great example of growth from Caleb Williams

They were just a handful of plays from the 72 snaps Caleb Williams saw on Sunday in the Chicago Bears’ 36-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

However, the Bears’ scoring drive before halftime Sunday, culminating in the rookie quarterback’s 30-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore, was perhaps the best example yet of Williams’ growth as a passer in the NFL.

As halftime neared in Sunday’s game between the Bears and the Panthers, Chicago was already in possession of a 21-7 lead when they took over on their own 38-yard line with under a minute remaining in the first half. With the Bears possessing all three timeouts, Chicago had an opportunity to put some points on the board before the break.

The drive began innocently enough, with Williams throwing to tight end Gerald Everett on a quick screen route to the left side. That play picked up five yards, and the Bears burned their first time out after the short gain:

After an incompletion on second down, Chicago faced a 3rd and 5 at their own 43-yard line. They dialed up a switch concept along the right side, with Rome Odunze running a post route from the outside alignment, and tight end Cole Kmet running a wheel route along the sideline.

Williams reads this to perfection:

Kmet breaks open along the sideline, and Williams sticks in an anticipation throw on the tight end for a huge gain. Here is how things looked when the rookie quarterback started his throwing motion:

The Panthers are in Cover 3 on this play, and the cornerback sticks on Odunze’s post route. Williams knows that the defender nearest Kmet is the curl/flat defender, who will stay shallow and let Kmet clear him. That creates a big opening for Kmet’s route, and Williams puts this throw on the tight end. Yes, the throw could have been better, but given the situation, you first want to make sure of the completion and put this throw on your receiver, and going forward perhaps hope for better ball placement.

Always room for improvement, even when you are improving.

On the next snap, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron went for the big play, dialing up a double-move concept with Keenan Allen running an out-and-up out of the left slot. Williams pumps on the out route, but the coverage is solid on Allen, as it is on the vertical routes from Moore along the left sideline, and Kmet out of the right slot.

Williams scrambles for a bit but eventually, rather than forcing a throw downfield, he scampers for a short gain:

Now comes the touchdown to Moore to cap off the drive.

With the Bears facing 2nd and 8, Waldron calls for a three-level concept to the right side: Allen runs a seam route, Kmet releases to the flat, and Odunze runs the intermediate curl route. Moore, the single receiver on the left, runs a post route.

Since Chicago has two timeouts, Williams can target the entire field. That makes Allen’s seam route a possibility, along with Kmet’s route to the flat.

Carolina is in Cover 3 on this play, with the backside corner in “MEG” — man everywhere he goes — technique on Moore. After the snap Williams gets his eyes to the frontside concept, which influences the safety in the middle of the field towards the seam route from Allen.

But once he hits his drop depth he immediately gets his eyes reset to Moore on the backside, and his post route:

Touchdown, Bears.

This is a great example of Williams understanding the situation, the concept, and the coverage. Once he sees that safety moving towards Allen, he knows there is room to throw backside to Moore’s post route. He puts that throw in a perfect spot, Moore completes the play with a great catch, and the Bears are back in the end zone.

Williams finished the day having completed 20-of-29 passes for 304 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Over the past two weeks, Williams has connected on 37-of-52 passes for 461 yards and 3 touchdowns, without an interception.

Chicago won both of those games, and the Bears now sit at 3-2 on the young season.

This was a quick drive, but it showcased some of the traits — as well as some of the development — Bears fans have been hoping to see from Williams this season.