During an NFL season, adversity comes in unexpected forms, and when Caleb Williams’ rookie year is over and everyone involved has a chance to take stock with a long view, it will be just like the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Pick has overcome the lows more significantly than the highs.

Things have been looking up for Williams over the last two weeks, and while it’s important not to get too carried away with the Chicago Bears (4-7) on a five-game losing streak, this season has been more about developing Williams and one Achieving success The foundation for the continued success that was so fleeting at Halas Hall that it was about pursuing an immediate championship.

That in no way excuses some of the glaring issues plaguing the roster, nor does it gloss over mistakes made along the way – particularly at critical times over the last five weeks – in the Bears’ hopes of being relevant in the NFC The North was smashed. There will be a reckoning for all of this in due course.

Ultimately, if a team has the right quarterback with the right coaching, he can be an eraser, a player who can find ways to hide some of the rough edges on the roster or areas that might be weakened by injuries.

It didn’t get much attention over the last two weeks as the Bears lost on the last play of the game to the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, but the offensive line was serviceable. Williams was sacked three times in each game – the last one against the Vikings was clearly his fault – after being sacked 15 times in the previous two games.

The Bears swapped offensive coordinators, Thomas Brown focused game plans on Williams getting the ball out quickly and taking advantage of the talent around him, and – voilà – things started to look the way general manager Ryan Poles probably envisioned them when he put together the squad in the spring.

Perfect? Far from it. But the Bears are starting to move the ball. They’re scoring more points and will be put to the test Thursday at Ford Field against the division-leading Detroit Lions (10-1).

“It’s a different challenge,” Williams said. “We look at these and want to address these challenges head-on because they only make us better.”

Williams attempted 193 consecutive passes without an interception and was 32 of 47 for 340 yards with two touchdowns in the 30-27 overtime loss to the Vikings. Since the Bears suffered back-to-back losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, he has put together two solid performances, leading some to question whether he would benefit from spending some time on the sidelines with Tyson Bagent playing to watch.

As it turned out, Williams needed an impromptu coaching reboot, with Brown replacing Shane Waldron. Now his rookie season is back on track and he’s playing well, as have fellow first-rounders Jayden Daniels in Washington and Bo Nix in Denver.

“Time was extremely important,” Williams said. “You can never beat that. I think this provided a sense of clarity and belief. In the valleys and on the peaks you persevere and keep going.”

Daniels, who is dealing with a rib injury and doesn’t have nearly as much talent around him on the Commanders, has cooled off in recent weeks. Nix is ​​heating up for the Broncos, putting up impressive performances against the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons.

It’s possible that more than two teams will target a quarterback in this draft, but it’s too early to make blanket judgments. This is a multi-year marathon, not a sprint in the second half of the rookie season.

“Caleb has played better the last two weeks,” said a personnel man who reviewed the Bears this week. “There is no doubt that Thomas Brown added some pizzazz to this offense. You can see it. Wide receivers are happy. That’s a big part of it. You gotta keep these guys happy. You have to get them the ball. DJ Moore plays with more energy. Keenan Allen looks younger. Cole Kmet gets the ball in the passing game.

“He gets the ball out a lot quicker. If he can get the ball out and his feet are up, he can just hit the ball. I think they’ve trained him incredibly over the last two weeks. He’s more decisive when he’s running and checking, and those plays are important.

“There weren’t as many deep balls, more of a rhythm passing game, play fast, let’s go.” The screens they run are more incisive, many of which are in the boundary line and have shorter throws. Development doesn’t take that long. Take the ball out of his hands.”