Does Bears QB Caleb Williams Have the Clutch Gene? Press Taylor Reacts

If you ask Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams if he believes in the clutch gene, he will confirm that without hesitation. 

In his interview with Sean Evans on Hot Ones, Williams said, "Some people have it, some people don't." Someone who also agrees with that statement is Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor. 

Williams led the Bears to seven fourth-quarter comebacks (including the playoffs) last season. Taylor was the team's passing game coordinator at the time, and like Williams, he believes there are some quarterbacks who possess that gene and "thrive in that moment, and that's something Caleb has displayed early in his career."

It started with the Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. With the Bears down 24-19 with 6:39 left in the fourth quarter, Williams completed four of his five passes for 42 yards and he ran for another 18 yards before running back D'Andre Swift scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Bears up 25-24 with 1:34 left in the game. 

Veteran cornerback Josh Blackwell blocked the Raiders 54-yard field goal to seal the victory. 

From that game on, Williams continued to produce when the Bears needed him most. 

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Williams told Evans that he will take a few deep breaths before he starts a two-minute drive, but that's only a small part of what it takes for the Bears' quarterback to execute in those high-pressure moments. 

According to Taylor, a quarterback's ability to stay cool under pressure comes down to one fundamental element.

“It all starts with their preparation," Taylor said. "Those guys come alive in those situations because they’re so prepared. That affects throughout the game, anywhere from the normal downs to third down to down in the red zone, but in two-minute, there’s a certain preparation of who I’m playing against, the DNA of the coordinator is he going to pressure me in certain situations, moving clock, clock-stop situations, to start the drive, around the 50, stuff like that. Some of those guys have a great feel for that, and because they’re so well prepared, their anxiety level doesn’t rise, so they just end up meeting the moment because they’re prepared for it, they’re ready for it and they can execute at a high level.”

Taylor has also noticed that many of those successful fourth-quarter drives stem from Williams' ability to extend plays with his legs. When the moment demands it, the Bears' quarterback won't hesitate to take over a game.

The Bears' offensive coordinator said Williams comes "alive" in those high-stakes situations. That innate clutch ability gives Williams a unique edge, and gives opposing defenses another wrinkle to prepare for every time they face Ben Johnson's team.