Troy Aikman is concerned that rookie Bears quarterback Caleb Williams could develop a confidence issue with the way things are going in Chicago.
The ESPN broadcaster, who was on the call for Monday’s Bears-Vikings clash, explained that Williams looked like “a defeated guy” while he was laid out on the bench after a big hit by Minnesota linebacker Jihad Ward early in the fourth quarter.
Aikman referenced his time as a rookie quarterback for the Cowboys in 1989 after being the No. 1 draft pick.
“I was 0-11 as a starter and he’s had a much better rookie season than I had,” Aikman said while ESPN replayed the hit during the Vikings’ 30-12 win over the Bears at U.S Bank Stadium.
“We were watching him on the sidelines. He was grimacing and in an enormous amount of pain. When you watch him, you can tell that he’s a defeated guy.
“When you mentioned we were watching him on the sidelines, he was grimacing and in an enormous amount of pain. And as I watch him, you can tell that he’s a defeated guy. I mentioned that he hasn’t been through anything like this at any point in his career. What you worry about is a rookie quarterback losing confidence.”
Aikman added that Williams previously shared he was healthy but fatigued.
Williams was visibly in pain as he was keeled over on the bench.
Fox Sports host Emmanuel Acho reposted the clip of Williams and wrote, “This doesn’t look good by Caleb Williams or for Caleb Williams…”
It was the eighth straight defeat for Williams and the Bears in a season that has included the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Thomas Brown has taken over as the team’s interim head coach.
Williams, the No. 1 pick out of USC, has been sacked an NFL-high 58 times this season behind a woeful offensive line.
Williams, though, has contributed to his own suffering with a penchant for holding onto the ball too long and has been inaccurate at times.
The hit by Ward came on a play where Williams desperately ran around before throwing an incomplete pass to Keenan Allen.
Williams completed 18 of 31 passes for 191 yards with one touchdown and an 86.9 passer rating.
The Bears (4-10) face the Lions (12-2) in Chicago on Sunday.
