“I was 0-11 as a starter!” Troy Aikman feels Caleb Williams has a bright future ahead in NFL despite underwhelming start
Troy Aikman offered words of encouragement for Caleb Williams, who looked dissappointed on the sidelines after the Bears' 8th straight loss.
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Troy Aikman and Caleb Williams (Via CBS Sports/AP News)
Expectations are always high when a rookie quarterback is thrust into the starting role, but when that quarterback is the first overall pick, those expectations soar to new heights. Caleb Williams, the rookie quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has faced intense scrutiny as the team struggles through a challenging 4-10 season.
As the Bears are coming off another brutal loss at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Williams was spotted with a pale face on the sidelines. Amid the tough time, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman has come forward with words of encouragement for the USC product during ESPN’s national broadcast.
Aikman recalled his own debut season in 1989 when he lost 11 games he started. But once he developed himself, he made six consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
This is the time of year when college seasons are ending. They are long years. And you’re having the year [the Bears] are having, they’re just that much longer. What you worry about for a young quarterback, and I went through it, I was 0-11 as a starter and [Williams] has had a much better rookie season than I had.
Troy Aikman said
Troy Aikman on a rough night and season for Caleb Williams.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 17, 2024
"I was 0-11 as a starter and he's had a much better rookie season than I had."
"He was grimacing and in an enormous amount of pain. When you watch him, you can tell that he's a defeated guy." pic.twitter.com/Vv91cKVm9F
The three-time Super Bowl champion’s words of support could be what the young quarterback needs during his struggling days. It highlights that a No. 1 overall pick turned things around dramatically after facing early struggle, ultimately achieving legendary status.
Troy Aikman sees signs of defeat in Caleb Williams
While expressing his confidence in the Bears rookie, Aikman also shared some concerns for him. After being seen grimacing on the sidelines, Aikman believes Williams might be losing confidence in himself because of his difficulty in moving the ball after his team’s eight-game losing streak.
We were watching him on the sidelines, he was grimacing and in an enormous amount of pain. You can tell that he’s a defeated guy… that he hasn’t been through anything like this at any point in his career and what you worry about is a rookie quarterback losing confidence.
Troy Aikman said
When the camera panned to Williams’ disappointed face on the sideline, he had just endured a huge hit from Minnesota linebacker Jihad Ward. Due to a lack of protection from his offense, he hit the ground hard and lay there for a moment before getting up. He completed the game with 18-for-31 with 191 yards and a touchdown.
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Pratyusha Srivastava
(2013 Articles Published)