Kirk Herbstreit has covered Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams from his time at the University of Oklahoma to the University of Southern California. During Thursday night’s broadcast of the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears, Herbstreit suggested Williams may not know what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.“We’ve seen Caleb Williams tonight with his playmaking ability,” Herbstreit said. “Remember that low snap? And he was able to pick it up, locate a receiver and make a throw to Keenan Allen. He makes so many spectacular plays and he’s got such a physical ability. “I think the thing that remains to be seen — and only time will tell — is if he understands what it takes to be an NFL quarterback as far as the preparation, as far as first guy there, last guy leaving. And I’m not suggesting he’s not doing those things, but all of those little things that really make the great quarterbacks special.”Herbstreit’s comments are deliberately obtuse. Here’s why.The Chicago Bears are currently an absolute disaster. Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron was fired on November 12th after ten months on the job. Before Waldron, Luke Getsy was fired at the end of the 2023 season. Both Getsy and Waldron were hired by former Head Coach Matt Eberflus. Eberflus’s hiring failures didn’t get much headlines outside of the Windy City. Eberflus was on the clock after the Bears drafted Williams with the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Eventually, Eberflus was fired after mismanaging the clock and fumbling their Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions. With a 14-32 record in nearly three seasons, Eberflus became the first head coach in Bears franchise history to be fired during the season.Williams takes the high roadMeanwhile, Caleb Williams has been sacked 67 times this season. His offensive line has been, by all accounts, a disaster. As for the game, Williams completed 16 of 28 passes for 122 yards and a 53.0 passer rating and rushed for 37 yards on five carries. He was sacked six times. During his post game press conference, Williams accepted the responsibility of the defeat. “I think today was one of those games that I think we played two sides of the ball today pretty well, special teams, and defense,” Williams said according to the team transcript. “And then offense, we didn’t play well. There were miscues. There were stupid sacks that I was taking, losing 10, 14 yards, which is frustrating. But I will say that I will definitely take the heat for this one just because some of the situations that I put us in, like I said, that sack that I took that I didn’t need to take, which put us — we were empty and I brought a guy from the boundary. Just throw it over the guy’s head. And you’re still playing, obviously you want to get a positive play there. But in that sense, it’s a positive play. So got to be better.”That game featured thirteen punts and no touchdowns. The Evolution of the Black QuarterbackNo one on the Chicago Bears has ever criticized Williams for lacking commitment. No teammate says he’s shying away from leadership roles, or turning plays down during their ten-game losing streak. As for Herbstreit, the fans are onto his schtick. Where does he get it from? From Joe Gilliam, Doug Williams, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, Michael Vick, Lamar Jackson, and now Caleb Williams, the Black quarterback has always been under the microscope. Why? Historically, scouts have described them as “athletes” and can’t play the game from the pocket. Deadspin published a story in 2014 highlighted the number of times the word “athletic” was used. “Athletic” was used 82 times for white players. By comparison, “athletic”, was used 221 times for Black players. In 2003, the late Rush Limbaugh said, “I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a Black quarterback do well.” The Black quarterback in question was Donovan McNabb. It is one thing to analyze what it takes to be a great quarterback in the NFL. Yes, there’s a difference between being a playmaker and quarterback. Kirk, it’s another to criticize someone without fully owning the fact you’re lobbing these baseless hot takes while on air.The post Kirk Herbstreit’s comments regarding Caleb Williams were really weird appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.