When the Falcons drafted quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008, no one expected them to make the playoffs that season. With the bar set low, the team vaulted over it and won 11 games. Ryan was the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
That’s one reason he’s so impressed with Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“The expectation for production [from rookies] is higher than it’s ever been,” Ryan said. “In a lot of ways, that’s a bit unfair. But that’s the world we’re in. I appreciate the way both of these guys have not shied away from that. Looking at passing attempts in the first three weeks, the gloves were off.”
Ryan has been studying both signal-callers as he prepares for “The NFL Today” on Sunday before the Bears-Commanders game on CBS. Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP and a four-time Pro Bowl player, is in his first season on the show, joining host James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and JJ Watt.
He got a firsthand look at Williams when he visited Bears training camp for the team’s joint practices with the Bengals. Williams wasn’t at his best, but Ryan came away feeling the Bears’ strong belief that they finally had their quarterback.
“What has impressed me the most with his growth is the timing and accuracy,” Ryan said. “The first three games, there was a sense we’re not on time in the passing game. Caleb has started to settle in. You’re starting to see down-the-field throws. In college, he was an excellent thrower down the field.”
Ryan sees similarities with Daniels.
“He’s improved with his decision-making and accuracy, as well,” he said. “There was a reliance on the legs, but there’s improvement in the passing game, settling into the pocket. And much like with [Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron], Kliff Kingsbury has done an excellent job of playing to his strengths.”
Ryan’s strength is his preparation. He puts in the same work preparing for “The NFL Today” as he did for games, watching as much video as he can. He also watches video of himself, a sign that he’s taking his second career as seriously as he did his first.
“You have to find ways to improve,” Ryan said. “You want your opinions to come across clearly. Maybe I could have done this different, maybe avoided saying this. I watch every week. As players, that’s what we’re used to. But it was easier to watch as a player.”
Remote patrol
WGN-TV’s Larry Potash will cap the 15th season of his series “Backstory” with an episode on sports statues and their place in the sports world. Potash examines the Michael Jordan and Ryne Sandberg statues, among others. It airs at 11 p.m. Sunday.
• The Blackhawks’ game Friday against the Predators will air exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu. John Buccigross, analyst AJ Mleczko and reporter Emily Kaplan will have the call.