Bears' Caleb Williams, Raiders' Maxx Crosby share mutual admiration

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby admire each other.

That was clear in the episode of Crosby’s “The Rush” podcast that posted Tuesday in which Crosby and Williams spent more than an hour talking about each other’s similarities.

“What’s gotten you to this point is being Superman, and what’s gotten me to my level of wrecking games is I feel like I’m Superman,” Crosby told Williams.

What was notable about the conversation, of course, is the possibility that Crosby could look to force his way off the Raiders after watching them hire their sixth head coach since Crosby broke into the NFL in 2019. Crosby has spoken often about his fondness for the Raiders but was reportedly frustrated when the franchise shut him down medically toward the end of last season while they chased the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. He could be a trade candidate this offseason, and the Bears need a pass-rush upgrade.

There was no lobbying for Crosby to consider a team change during the podcast. Williams, though, spent part of the podcast praising Chicago and head coach Ben Johnson.

The quarterback said he didn’t have a bad rookie season but the “heat” was “a little bit more than what you think it’d be” because the Bears had a losing season. He said Johnson and his staff provided an important vibe shift between his first and second year because of “the control they had of the situation, the belief and confidence they had in themselves.”

Their own confidence helped Williams and his teammates to believe.

“The biggest thing in the NFL, and I can go from my first year to this year, is the confidence in yourself and the work, and how far that goes for NFL players,” Williams said. “I think confidence is one of the biggest things to be able to go out there and play well.”

Williams called Johnson a “mad scientist” who is wired like both Crosby and the Bears quarterback.

“He wants to whoop everybody’s ass,” Williams said.

Williams spoke openly about the electricity he felt at Soldier Field during the national anthem before the Rams game, calling it “one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been in, if not the best.” Chicago fans love football despite the success of their other pro teams, Williams said.

“It’s a Bears city,” he said. “I didn’t realize it until probably this year, to be honest with you.”

That makes him want to work harder.

“I’m excited to get back, especially after the work, seeing the work, feeling the work, going through the tough [parts] of last year but also going through the tough [parts] of this year, with a new coach, tough coach, having to learn so much,” Johnson said. “And the benefits of it. … Winning, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

There are three things Williams said he wants to improve on this upcoming season — completing more passes, having greater pre-snap command of protections and audibles and trying to become the most dominant offense of all time.

Both men marveled about facing off against each other in their Week 4 game, with Williams saying he was still amazed by the defensive end’s interception of his pass and Crosby saying he respected both Johnson’s game plan and Williams’ running ability. Williams was in awe of the fact Crosby sat out only two plays all game.

Crosby said he offered “respect at a different level” for Williams because of his play, but also the way he carries himself.

“It takes one to know one,” Crosby said. “I’m a different cat … you’re a different cat.”