NEWSLETTER
There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month.
But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I’d argue there was just one emotion running through Campbell when it came to the Fields trade — relief. And when asked about it during the NFL’s owners meetings in Florida this week, Campbell kept it real when discussing Fields’ departure:
MORE: Bears GM Ryan Poles Explains Why He Traded Justin Fields
These are Fields’ stats when playing the Lions over the last three years while Campbell was coaching on the other sideline:
After watching Justin Fields run wild against the Lions over the last three years, I can see why Dan Campbell is happy to watch the ex-Bears QB leave for Pittsburgh. The passing numbers are pedestrian, but the improvisational plays — the stuff you can’t game-plan for — is probably what kept Campbell up late at night. So, through that lens, I can totally see where Campbell is coming from in being happy that Fields is out of the division.
However, this could be a “be careful what you wish for” kind of thing real soon for Detroit’s head coach.
Dan Campbell is happy Justin Fields is gone, but just wait ’til he meets the new guy!
Justin Fields is gone. Dan Campbell’s nightmares of JF1 turn a broken play into a touchdown scamper are over. But now, the Chicago Bears are on the cusp of drafting a new quarterback. One who could be a different type of boogeyman for Campbell and the Lions. And I’m looking forward to seeing how Campbell counters what is coming down the pipeline with Caleb Williams. Because if the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is as advertised, then Campbell is going to have a new set of horrors to deal with this season (and beyond).
If you’ve followed any bit of college football over the last few seasons, then you are probably familiar with Williams’ off-script highlights. However, you might not be as familiar with what the projected top pick can do inside the pocket and in structure. Thankfully, the fine folks at @dwcprodz came through with 20 minutes of Caleb Williams playing in the pocket and in structure:
One tweet. Twenty minutes of footage. And what could possibly be the starting point for a new set of problems the Detroit Lions (and Minnesota Vikings … and Green Bay Packers) will have to deal with in 2024 and the years to come. Be careful what you wish for, Dan.
And, yes, I realize you can probably put together a similar package of clips for every quarterback prospect. I also understand that the footage above is not predictive of what Caleb Williams’ future will be in Chicago. However, it is nice to have — in one convenient place to watch — an extended clip of throws from the pocket and in structure that we can watch and dissect. And I appreciate it. It is, by far, the thing I’ve been asked most about Caleb Williams and his fit with the Bears. Can he play in structure? Can he win from the pocket?
CALEB WILLIAMS BREAKDOWN: Washington | Oregon | Notre Dame | Utah
Don’t get me wrong. I know we can’t answer those questions (as they relate to the pros) right now. We’ll need to see him in live game action before we can cross that bridge. And even then, we’ll need to see how he adjusts to adjustments even after we get to it. But I like having a place to watch Caleb cook while playing in the pocket. Here’s hoping his college exploits can translate to the pro level. And if they do, Dan Campbell is going to swap out biting knee caps in exchange for eating some crow.
