We can all agree quarterback Caleb Williams hasn’t set the football world on fire as a Bears rookie. That Commanders QB Jayden Daniels — who was drafted right behind Williams at No. 2 overall — is running away with the rookie of the year race only underscores that reality.
But what grade would you give Williams for his play so far? That led things off in this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X.
Commenter @CubsMagicNumber scoffed at the notion anyone would give Williams an A or a B, writing, “His 41.9 [adjusted] QBR is 27th in the NFL.”
Next, we asked what the Bears’ biggest problem is on offense. Poor play on the line? Bad coaching? Williams? Both @JorgeGuapo22 and @JBIRD1268 cited “all of the above” even though it wasn’t a voting option.
Last, we asked if this should be struggling third-year coach Matt Eberflus’ final season. Spoiler alert: By an overwhelming margin, voters want him gone.
“He is clearly the worst coach in the division,” @kmcshea76 commented, “and you can’t win the division if your team is consistently outcoached.”
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: Give Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a grade for his play so far.
It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Sunday’s paper.
Poll No. 1: Give Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a grade for his play so far.
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 7, 2024
Upshot: We almost asked if voters would swap Williams for Daniels right now if they could, but it felt premature — and perhaps unfair — to do so after only eight games. It’s an inevitable topic, though.
Poll No. 2: What’s the Bears’ biggest problem on offense?
Poll No. 2: What’s the Bears’ biggest problem on offense?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 7, 2024
Upshot: Shane Waldron isn’t exactly killing it in his first season as offensive coordinator. Two utterly disastrous play calls — a fourth-down speed option against the Colts and a handoff to offensive lineman Doug Kramer against the Commanders — will live in infamy.
Poll No. 3: Is your mind made up on whether or not this should be Bears coach Matt Eberflus’ last season?
Poll No. 3: Is your mind made up on whether or not this should be Bears coach Matt Eberflus’ last season?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 7, 2024
Upshot: As @TheeDluv put it, “Someone in the McKaskey family needs to know Flus isn’t the guy.” If this vote is any indication, the fans don’t need any more convincing.