Caleb Williams recently spoke out about his difficulties with quarterback film study during his time with the Chicago Bears, highlighting concerns raised by a report from ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. The report suggested Williams lacked adequate coaching guidance under former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, a claim Eberflus firmly denied, asserting that Williams participated in daily film review sessions with coaches throughout the year. Williams clarified his position, explaining that his struggle was not with the act of watching film itself but with seeking more efficient methods to process the information.
Williams stated,
“It wasn’t that I didn’t know how to watch film, it was trying to figure out the best ways and more efficient ways so that I can watch more film,”
adding,
“I can gather more information, so that when I do go out there on gameday, that information I gathered through Monday, when we got back, all the way up to whatever day the gameday is, so that when I get out there, I can gather it, I see it, I can react, and it’s not me sitting there thinking so much about the rules and these different things. It’s more of a reaction game at that point, a muscle memory.”
—Caleb Williams, Quarterback
Isaiah Simmons’ Transition to the Packers and Position Focus
Isaiah Simmons is preparing for his first season with the Green Bay Packers after signing as an unrestricted free agent, embracing a new role under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Unlike his previous hybrid safety position, Simmons will narrow his focus to a single role, a shift he welcomes as an opportunity to refine his skills.
“What I ran into most of my career is everybody wants me to do everything, as opposed to letting me get really good at one thing first,”
Simmons explained.
“I fully believe in Haf’s plan. He’s letting me just lock in and learn a small portion first before we even think about expanding to anything else. That’s something I really appreciate because I never really had that opportunity to really just hone in on one position. It’s hard enough to get into the NFL, let alone stay, as well as be effective at a position, so just being able to lock in on one thing … that’s been, I feel like, huge for me. My versatility, I feel like it’s a little bit of a gift and a curse.”
—Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker
Simmons has seen limited starting time over the past two years with the New York Giants but is entering 2025 with renewed motivation and determination. He described the limited snap counts and expressed a vow to improve his standing on the field.
“They lit a fire under me,”
Simmons said.
“And I’m ready to go. There’s games where maybe I (had), like, three snaps, and they (would) be, like, kickoff, all touchbacks, you know what I’m saying? When the season ended, I looked at myself in the mirror and said, ‘This will never happen again.’ At the end of the day, coaches make the decisions, but it’s up to me to make the decision hard for them. I vowed to myself that I would make the decision tough for every single coach in the future.”
—Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia praised Simmons’ impact on special teams, recalling notable plays such as a blocked field goal and other defensive contributions during his career, highlighting Simmons’ athleticism and versatility as strengths the Packers hope to utilize fully.
Vikings Defensive Coordinator on OLB Dallas Turner’s Development
Brian Flores, defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, spoke about the progress of outside linebacker Dallas Turner as he prepares for his second NFL season. Turner has set high standards for himself, and Flores emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic and routine to meet those expectations.
Flores remarked,
“We talked a lot about him last year and his growth throughout the season. He’s just kind of built on that. Nobody talks about that rookie season when you’re in college and you’re training, and it’s the combine, and then the draft, and then it’s new everything. New house, new ride to work, new everything. So he’s much more comfortable in this environment. He knows what the expectations are. He’s got a high standard for himself, and that’s a great place to start, but he also knows he’s got to work a significant amount to get to that standard, as all of our guys do. He’s come in and really gotten into a routine that I think is going to allow him to put his best foot forward, put himself in position to have the type of season he wants to have and we want him to have.”
—Brian Flores, Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Flores also highlighted Turner’s versatility on defense, describing how he can contribute in various ways, including rushing the passer, dropping into coverage, and adapting to different defensive packages.
“Dallas is coming into his own in terms of how he is going to contribute,”
Flores said,
“and it could be in a variety of ways: as a rusher, as a dropper, on the ball, off the ball, in different packages. We’re excited about his versatility, but also his growth.”
—Brian Flores, Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Reflection on the Importance of Film Study and Position Focus in Player Development
The conversations around Caleb Williams’ struggle with quarterback film study, Isaiah Simmons’ position focus, and Dallas Turner’s continuous growth illustrate the varied challenges NFL players face as they seek to develop their skills and impact their teams. Williams’ quest for more efficient film study methods highlights the complex mental preparation required at the quarterback position, which goes beyond simply reviewing tape to developing instinctual reactions on the field.
Meanwhile, Simmons’ new role with the Packers reflects the shift towards specialization, which many players find crucial for long-term success and stability in the league. His determination to prove himself after limited playing time underscores the competitive nature of the NFL, where earning snaps requires constant improvement and resilience.
Turner’s progress with the Vikings embodies the transitional phase many young players experience, adapting to new routines and heightened expectations while finding ways to contribute across multiple defensive roles. His versatility will likely be a significant asset as the Vikings look to maximize defensive effectiveness.
As these players continue their development, their experiences point to broader themes of adaptability, focused preparation, and perseverance, all vital elements that shape successful NFL careers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Caleb Williams autosexual?
A. Caleb Williams has revealed that he identifies as “Autosexual.” This means he feels the main sexual attraction and desire are directed toward himself.
Q. What happened to Caleb Williams?
A. On January 3, 2022, Williams decided to enter the transfer portal. By February 1, he shared that he had moved to the University of Southern California. This transfer allowed him to join the Trojans and reunite with Lincoln Riley, his former head coach from the Sooners, who had been recruited by the Trojans earlier.
Q. Why did Caleb Williams switch to 18?
A. Since Keenan Allen already wore number 13, Williams took his high school number, 18, in the NFL. This decision was announced soon after he was drafted. On draft night, Williams set a new Fanatics record for merchandise sales.
Q. Why did Caleb Williams cry?
A. After a tough loss in an already difficult season, Caleb Williams went into the first row at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night. He hugged his mom and began to cry. Despite scoring four touchdowns, the USC quarterback’s efforts were not enough to win.