Chicago Bears tight finish Cole Kmet was one of many members of the group who discovered it “really upsetting” that the membership traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier than Chicago in the end made USC Trojans signal-caller Caleb Williams the primary general decide of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kmet supplied that remark lengthy earlier than he noticed Williams make his preseason debut on this previous Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Payments.
“His demeanor on the sideline, his demeanor within the huddle was a little bit completely different,” Kmet mentioned on Thursday concerning what he seen about Williams at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium, per Matt Verderame of Sports activities Illustrated. “Gameday juices. You could possibly really feel his confidence within the huddle when it comes to saying the play name and on the line of scrimmage. His cadence was nice on gameday. All these issues appeared to click on. You could possibly see him determining issues from play to play. … His confidence is unwavering, and that’s actually cool to see with a few drives.”
In whole, Williams solely accomplished 4-of-7 passes for 95 yards to go together with the 13 yards he picked up together with his legs in opposition to the Payments. However, one can not help however assume Kmet realizes these working the Bears most likely made the best choice this offseason.
Fields went 10-28 as a starter throughout his Chicago tenure and was — statistically talking — one of many NFL’s worst fourth-quarter quarterbacks over the previous two seasons. Extra not too long ago, he showed that he hasn’t totally eradicated the kind of flaws from his recreation that prevented the Bears from committing to him as their long-term starter.
Kmet reiterated on Thursday that Williams is merely “completely different” than something the 25-year-old has witnessed from a QB1 on the highest stage.
“We’ve a pair weeks till recreation one,” Kmet added. “I feel we’re in a great spot proper now however we’ve got an opportunity to actually take this factor to the subsequent stage within the subsequent few weeks and be the place we actually wish to be come Week 1.”
As of late Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Williams because the betting favourite at +135 odds to say the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Award for the upcoming season. That very same outlet had the Bears at -110 betting odds to make the playoffs.
The times of Kmet and others inside the Chicago locker room being upset concerning the Fields commerce are probably already previously.