Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams know they will have their hands full with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on Sunday during the NFC Divisional Playoffs, and the second-year passer is well-aware of what he is up against this coming weekend.
Williams, like Stafford, was the No. 1 overall pick in his draft class.
Despite their age gap and the differences in their playing style, Williams has borrowed from Stafford’s game. He is also cognizant of the challenges the Rams present as a team.
Caleb Williams Talks Up Matthew Stafford Before Rams Visit Bears
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts to an incomplete pass against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Williams met with the media for his weekly press conference on Wednesday. He noted that while he has only met Stafford once, he admires plenty about his counterpart’s game as they get set for their second head-to-head matchup.
“He’s at the top of the game right now, and at his age and things like that. And so, that’s something you can learn from,” Williams told reporters on January 14.
“Then also, just how he plays the game. He can drop back, and he has what everybody calls ‘snake eyes,’ and things like that. And just knowing defenses, knowing the offense, and being able to move people where you want to move them is something he’s been able to do very well, and then, trusting and believing his guys to be in the right position at the right time. And so, learning from that is big.”
Williams explained that “snake eyes” was in reference to Stafford’s signature no-look passes.
Stafford has made those types of plays seem routine, but Williams knows that the reason the Rams QB has stuck around and been as successful as he has all begins with his having a solid platform to operate from.
“His feet are always under him. He can make any throw at any time. Guys in his face, O-linemen, maybe, getting pushed back. Not looking, all these different things, and it comes down to his feet. It ties the routes with his receivers, the timing, all of that, with his feet. And, obviously, he has a cannon.
“So, to be able to watch him over the years, and also last year to this year in person, is going to be fun and enjoyable.”
Caleb Williams Touts Sean McVay, Rams’ Offense
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Williams is experiencing a leap from his rookie season, thanks largely to Bears first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Williams spoke candidly about the Rams’ situation. It is similar to the Bears’ with a strong offensive mind in Sean McVay at the helm and an uber-talented QB under center.
Both teams are where they are because of their respective HC-QB combos and the talent-laden rosters around them.
Williams said the matchup is “going to be fun.”
“It’s a top offense in the league. He has a top quarterback in the league. And when you got those two things, you can run a pretty well-oiled machine over there, and I think that’s what he’s done for the past–how many ever years. And so, it’s going to be fun to be able to go compete against them,” Williams said.
“That team over there, they got–offense, defense, and special teams–they got a bunch of really great players over there. And whether it’s Hall of Fame players, whether it’s just great players in the league, and also, some young talent over there. It’s going to be fun.”
Bears’ Caleb Williams Drops Strong Take on Matthew Stafford, Rams