Bears QB Caleb Williams is making progress, but his rival, J.J. McCarthy of the Vikings, is still finding his footing. Coaches are urging focus on what's ahead, rather than dwelling on past performances.
To succeed, quarterbacks need to maintain a clear vision and avoid getting bogged down by details. "Otherwise, you're going to end up swerving off and being off track," says Bears' offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. "The biggest thing is, what can we control right now? What's right in front of me that I can go try to be the best in the world at?"
For Williams, development has been stable, with seven wins out of ten games started since last year's finale. He's led the Bears to fourth-quarter game-winning drives in five of those games and is on pace to become the first Bears quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards.
Meanwhile, McCarthy is still getting started, having played only four career games. The Vikings' former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Michigan has been surrounded by veteran play-makers and an offense-minded coach, which should help him grow. However, he's struggled with consistency, with some wins followed by losses, making it difficult for fans and pundits to gauge his progress.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell realizes the importance of patience when judging a young quarterback. "I think you're speaking in regards to not only the people in this room, but the people that fill seats in stadiums... Everybody wants instant gratification," he says. The pressure is on for McCarthy to prove himself and show staying power.
In contrast, Bears coach Ben Johnson praises Williams' ability to avoid distraction. "He does a great job of focusing on winning games," Johnson says. With a steadying hand from O'Connell, Williams has made significant progress and seems closer to fulfilling the Bears' vision for him.
The rivalry between the two teams is heating up, with both quarterbacks looking to establish themselves as top contenders in the NFC North. The stage is set for an exciting matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where the Vikings will look to rally behind McCarthy, while the Bears hope Williams can lead them to victory and prove his potential.
The game's outcome will be crucial in determining who's on track and who needs more time to develop. For both quarterbacks, Sunday's result could make or break their progress and set the tone for a thrilling season ahead.
To succeed, quarterbacks need to maintain a clear vision and avoid getting bogged down by details. "Otherwise, you're going to end up swerving off and being off track," says Bears' offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. "The biggest thing is, what can we control right now? What's right in front of me that I can go try to be the best in the world at?"
For Williams, development has been stable, with seven wins out of ten games started since last year's finale. He's led the Bears to fourth-quarter game-winning drives in five of those games and is on pace to become the first Bears quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards.
Meanwhile, McCarthy is still getting started, having played only four career games. The Vikings' former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Michigan has been surrounded by veteran play-makers and an offense-minded coach, which should help him grow. However, he's struggled with consistency, with some wins followed by losses, making it difficult for fans and pundits to gauge his progress.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell realizes the importance of patience when judging a young quarterback. "I think you're speaking in regards to not only the people in this room, but the people that fill seats in stadiums... Everybody wants instant gratification," he says. The pressure is on for McCarthy to prove himself and show staying power.
In contrast, Bears coach Ben Johnson praises Williams' ability to avoid distraction. "He does a great job of focusing on winning games," Johnson says. With a steadying hand from O'Connell, Williams has made significant progress and seems closer to fulfilling the Bears' vision for him.
The rivalry between the two teams is heating up, with both quarterbacks looking to establish themselves as top contenders in the NFC North. The stage is set for an exciting matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where the Vikings will look to rally behind McCarthy, while the Bears hope Williams can lead them to victory and prove his potential.
The game's outcome will be crucial in determining who's on track and who needs more time to develop. For both quarterbacks, Sunday's result could make or break their progress and set the tone for a thrilling season ahead.