I’m inclined to read anything that comes across my feed related to the Chicago Bears and sacks, so this one piqued my interest for sure.
Since it’s Friday the 13th, NFL.com just dropped a list of the league’s unluckiest players by looking at some of the best ‘bad luck’ stats of 2024, and Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams made the list.
Here’s what they wrote.
Williams’ rookie struggles were notorious. Some of the issues were on the young passer. Others were on a woeful offensive line. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams was the victim of 57 unblocked pressures and 13 unblocked sacks in 2024 (both most in the NFL).
Chicago hopes that horrific stat line will be negated by improved blocking and a more aware QB in Year 2.
Williams facing 57 unblocked pressures is ridiculous, and while I’m sure some may have been on him for not getting the pass protection set right, there was also a lot of confusion up front.
I’ve broken down every sack allowed by the Bears during Caleb’s rookie season, and there were so many times I scratched my head because the scheme didn’t have an answer with a viable blocker or a quick outlet receiver.
I also find it interesting that Next Gen Stats had 13 unblocked sacks, and I had 13 sacks in my sacks happen category on Sackwatch for the season.
Considering Williams led the league in sacks avoided last year, and there’s a massive upgrade in front of him, plus he has a proven play caller running the offense now, and I’m confident in predicting that he’ll take fewer sacks in 2025.