Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has dramatically reduced his sack total through nine games this season following significant offensive line improvements. Williams has been sacked just 14 times compared to 38 sacks through the same stretch last year.
The second-year quarterback was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season, the third-most in NFL history. Chicago overhauled its interior offensive line during free agency to protect its investment at quarterback.
\"Part of it is the guys I\'ve got up front,\" Williams said. \"They\'ve been awesome for me and for us. Kudos to them and love those guys up front.\"
The Bears\' offensive line ranks second in pass block win rate at 71 percent compared to 15th last season. Center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson have each allowed only one sack through nine starts. Left guard Joe Thuney has allowed zero sacks.
Chicago\'s time to sack has increased to 5.62 seconds, the second-longest in the NFL. The Bears have cut their pressure rate from 38.1 percent last season to 32.1 percent this season.
Head coach Ben Johnson\'s scheme has also contributed to Williams\' protection. After allowing 13 unblocked sacks last season, Chicago is the only team without an unblocked sack this year.
Williams\' sack rate has dropped from 10.0 percent of dropbacks last season to 4.2 percent through 10 weeks. His pressure-to-sack ratio of 12.8 percent ranks third-lowest in the league.
\"The other half of it is I think Coach\'s emphasis on me getting the ball out, and when it\'s time to go make a play, make the plays, and when it\'s time to throw it away, throw it away,\" Williams said.
Williams recorded his second sack-free game this season in Chicago\'s 24-20 victory over the Giants. Bears quarterbacks had accomplished that feat only once in the previous 10 seasons.