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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Calling a quarterback Checkdown Charlie is not a compliment. Checkdown can be a four-letter word among NFL fans, who prefer quarterbacks go big and continue to push the ball down the field.

There’s more entertainment value in that than short passes to an outlet receiver designed to pick up a few yards and maybe (or maybe not) a first down.

It’s oftentimes the smartest play a quarterback can make.

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That could go against basic instincts for a phenom like Caleb Williams, who, in college, often dismissed the option in favor of using his mobility and arm talent to make a special play. He and the USC Trojans were often rewarded for such a choice.

Williams is learning that checkdowns are important in the NFL, especially on a Bears team with a stout defense and philosophy of avoiding turnovers at all costs.

“When I was in college, I think that was a knock on my game,” Williams said in a Wednesday press conference. “I think everybody wanted to say I don’t take checkdowns and things like that. But you also have to adapt to the team. You also have to adapt to the situation.

“It’s always a growing and learning process, and I think I’ve done, I would say, a pretty solid job of finding checkdowns and understanding that (part of the) game is so huge for us and our offense and keeping us on the football field. So with me doing that, I think it has been important for us. I think it’s something I’ve gotten better with. And I also know that when you can steal first downs, which is what checkdowns do, it helps out tremendously in the long run of the game.”

It helped tremendously against the L.A. Rams, when D’Andre Swift racked up yards as an outlet receiver. He had three first downs earn on seven receptions from as many targets. All of his catches travelled less than 10 air yards – no surprise for a running back – and his four catches from behind the line of scrimmage produced 48 yards and two first downs on four catches.

That’s solid production that helped the offense stay on the field and increased Williams’ efficiency under pressure and when downfield options weren’t available.

Williams seems like he’ll always be the type to focus on working the ball down the field, but understands he must be disciplined post-snap and sometimes taking what a defense is willing to give.

“You’ve got to measure your shots; you’ve got to measure it in the game,” Williams said. “Obviously, there are going to be turnovers, things that happen but not making a bad play worse, not making the situation worse. Also, even if the situation is bad, understanding the situation. We may have just had a turnover, three-and-out on defense, keeping them off the field, keeping their offense off the field, and understanding that taking the checkdown right there might be best and just measuring when to take that knock out shot.”