Bears’ Keenan Allen reveals rookie difference between Caleb Williams, Justin Herbert

32-year-old wide receiver Keenan Allen has seen a lot in his 11-year NFL career. Season-ending injuries, Hall of Fame teammates, a location change from San Diego to Los Angeles, and then a trade to the Chicago Bears. He’s also seen two 1st Round rookie quarterbacks take the reins of the franchise, although their starting points were quite different.

In Los Angeles, Keenan Allen was present as Justin Herbert came in as the 6th overall pick, and was given the starting job only after a pre-game medical incident resulted in a punctured the lung for starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor ahead of the Chargers’ Week 2 game. In Chicago, months before he was even selected with the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams had already been anointed not only the starting quarterback for the Bears, but as a potential franchise savior.

One may not assume there would be much of a different between the 1st and 6th overall picks in the NFL Draft, but that’s not the way Keenan Allen sees it. In fact, he could narrow down the difference between Caleb Williams and Justin Herbert in just one word.

“The confidence,” Allen said earlier this week, according to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. “He [Williams] has always been the guy. When we first had Herbert, he wasn’t really a starter going into Week 1, so that’s a difference. He’s always been the guy, so he’s always had the expectation of playing at that level that we play at. He’s ready for it. He’s up for the task. His confidence is good.”

Caleb Williams’ confidence has been on display for years now. Whether it’s his willingness to paint his fingernails or express his emotions in the face of criticism, or his belief in his own ability and his future — remember that eight Super Bowl goal Williams set for himself? — it’s crystal clear that Williams and those around him believe he was born for this.

“I wouldn’t rather be with another guy right now than Caleb,” Allen noted. “He’s gotten better ever since we started. The confidence is through the roof.”