Stephen A. Smith Backs Troy Aikman After Receiving Heat for Caleb Williams Criticism

ESPN commentator and Hallf of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman had some harsh words for Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams.

Stephen A. Smith Backs Troy Aikman After Receiving Heat for Caleb Williams Criticism

Caleb Williams, Stephen A. Smith, and Troy Aikman (Image via Imago)

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The Chicago Bears are on a resurgence under new head coach Ben Johnson. He seems to have figured out how to use QB Caleb Williams properly, even though some, such as Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, are not sure the USC star is elite.

Those questions were at their peak when he first arrived in the NFL. Many felt his college game would not translate to the pro league, and that explains why he struggled so much.

This season, the Bears started slow with two straight losses, the 2nd of which was an embarrassing blowout loss to Johnson’s former team, the Detroit Lions.

Since then, they have won three straight games, with the latest a scrappy affair against the Washington Commanders, where Williams was not the star of the show. Instead, it was kicker Jake Moody, who single-handedly ensured they won.

That result notwithstanding, Troy Aikman, while talking about the two quarterbacks dueling in that game, was particularly harsh about the Chicago Bears’ signal caller.

The ESPN analyst started to receive heat from all angles, with some labeling his criticism as being biased. Even Ben Johnson trolled the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s take. This did not sit well with Stephen A. Smith.

You are talking about a guy in Troy Aikman, who is a 3-time Super Bowl champion, smart as a whip, incredible integrity. Anybody in the world of football who has a problem with him talking about a quarterback should really, really check themselves.

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

The 57-year-old believes those accomplishments alone make Troy Aikman better than most analysts, and that should be enough for him to say what he wants. No one should be able to critique his opinions.

Caleb Williams did not meet Troy Aikman in pre-game production meetings

In the midst of this furor surrounding Troy Aikman, many wondered what Caleb Williams had to say about this entire fiasco. On one hand, many believe something must have influenced the Hall of Famer to change his opinion about the Bears’ QB.

Ben Johnson was critical of Troy Aikman's opinions
Ben Johnson was critical of Troy Aikman’s opinions (Image via Ashlee Rezin Suntimes/X)

On the other hand, some believe he might have seen something that helped influence his new line of thought. One way players and commentators get to discuss the game is through pre-production meetings. Williams was asked if he met Aikman before their Week 6 game.

I did not. I didn’t get to meet with him, tried to meet with him. Reached out and tried to meet, and that didn’t happen. Moved on from it, played the game, and came out 3-2.

Caleb Williams told reporters at the Bears’ facilities

When asked why the meeting did not take place, the 23-year-old mentioned that he was working out late. After the workouts, he tried to reach Aikman, but could not get through.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky finds Troy Aikman not meeting Caleb Williams’ odd

Usually, quarterbacks, top defensive players, and coaches meet up with the commentating crew to talk about the upcoming game. It is a way to help the two sides get on the same page, so that the network can produce the best show.

That is why ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky felt it was odd that Caleb Williams was unable to reach out and meet Troy Aikman before the Bears’ Week 6 game. Normally, commentators should be available and aware of the players’ schedule.

This brings another angle to the fiasco, as it seems something was in play. That might have caused this misunderstanding between the Hall of Famer and the Bears QB.

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