Forget what you thought you knew about the NFC North, because ESPN analyst Evan Cohen just threw down a huge take, picking Caleb Williams as the quarterback he trusts most to win in a playoff situation. Yeah, you read that right. Cohen, speaking on ESPN’s First Take, went all-in on Williams when Shae Cornette asked about the division’s signal-callers, even with all the experience and current form staring him down from the competition.
The NFC North’s Stacked QB Room
This isn’t some weak division, either. We’re talking about Detroit’s Jared Goff, who’s definitely “been there and done that” in the postseason. The guy’s completing 67.8% of his passes, slinging for 2,134 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only two picks this season. That’s consistent production. Then there’s Green Bay’s Jordan Love, who’s been lighting it up, leading the whole division with 2,618 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Cohen even admitted Love is “probably playing better than anyone else right now.” And let’s not forget Kirk Cousins, who Cohen called “unbelievably experienced.” So, for Cohen to bypass these guys? That’s a bold move, considering Goff and Love are delivering way more consistent production this year.
Why Cohen Still Believes in Williams
So, why would Cohen put his trust in Williams when the stats show a different story? Williams has completed 68.7% of his passes, but only for 1,546 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions through six games. He’s got 145 rushing yards and two scores too, which is solid, but the turnover numbers have been gnarly. He threw two picks against Green Bay, though the Bears somehow pulled off a dramatic comeback victory in that one. In a 31-27 Wild Card win, he went 24 of 48 for 361 yards and two touchdowns. But then he forced overtime against the Rams with a late touchdown to Cole Kmet, only for three interceptions to cost them a 20-17 defeat. And get this: he just had a game where he coughed up four interceptions in a 27-24 WIN over Tampa Bay, with the team tallying five turnovers total. Wild.
Cohen’s take? “I just think Caleb Williams has got that effect.” He also loves the connection Williams has with his coach and even believes a guy “with big orange sleeves on defense and Jeffrey Simmons” will make Williams’ life easier. That’s a strong belief in the whole system around him. Cohen trusts Williams “in a big spot,” and the fact that they still won that four-turnover game against Tampa Bay actually makes him *more* impressed. He sees resilience there, like the team can still pull it off even when Williams isn’t perfect.
Williams definitely needs to sharpen up his decision-making, no doubt about it. But the message here is clear: this Chicago team, with Williams at the helm, can win even when things are messy. The Lions and Packers aren’t going anywhere, they’re “serious threats,” but Cohen is betting on Williams’ “effect” and Chicago’s overall structure to make the difference. Will Williams clean up those turnovers and prove Cohen right? The rest of the season is gonna be must-watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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