This Caleb Williams Quote Proves Matt Eberflus Is Doing It Right

No relationship is more important to the Chicago Bears‘ future than that of head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Caleb Williams. History shows that championship football teams are often determined by the synergy (or lack thereof) between those two positions. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Mike Shanahan and John Elway. Go back many years and it’s always the same. This has often been a problem the Bears have failed to avoid. John Fox never wanted Mitch Trubisky, nor did Matt Nagy. Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler weren’t always on the same page. This is a problem Eberflus knows he must avoid.

That is why he has worked hard to foster a close relationship with Williams since the quarterback arrived in April. The two have regular private meetings together, discussing football and other important topics. Many wonder if Eberflus is equipped for the job. He’s known for his defensive background, meaning he doesn’t exactly speak the language of a quarterback. However, a recent interaction between the two suggests the head coach understands one fundamental reality.

Williams mentioned it on Hard Knocks this past week.

Eberflus knows what Caleb Williams needs.

To build good teams, coaches understand that it is their job to make practices as difficult as possible. This isn’t meant out of malice or the perverse pleasure of torturing players. The goal is simple: Winning becomes easier once you make practices more difficult than games. This is a philosophy many great coaches have understood over the years. Belichick was famous for it during his glittering run with the New England Patriots in the 2000s and 2010s. By pushing his players in practice, he knew they’d be ready come Sunday.

Caleb Williams has complained about how tough Eberflus is on him in practice, specifically his tendency to call a relentless number of blitzes. Far more than would actually take place in games. That might be true, but there is a method to the madness. The head coach knows that the more times his quarterback sees those various blitz looks in practice, the better prepared he’ll be to counter them when other teams try them in games. It might not be a pleasant experience, but it’s a necessary one.