LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams is not letting the spotlight on a potential showdown with Jayden Daniels affect his focus as he prepares for the Chicago Bears’ upcoming game against the Washington Commanders this Sunday. As the top overall draft pick, Williams is determined to continue his success following the Bears’ bye week, emphasizing the importance of winning rather than personal rivalries or playing close to home. “My job is to go win games on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. That’s it,” he remarked on Wednesday.
The anticipated clash between the two quarterbacks chosen first and second in the recent draft is uncertain, given that Daniels is recovering from a rib injury sustained during a lopsided victory over the Carolina Panthers. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday, raising questions about his availability for the game. Williams expressed his hope for Daniels’ recovery, noting that they are likely to face off multiple times in their careers, especially since they are in the same conference. “I’ll be seeing him a good amount I would say… But my job is to go out there and win the game for the Chicago Bears,” he added.
The Bears, coming off three consecutive victories and a 4-2 record, are eager to maintain their momentum following the bye week. Williams has emerged as an effective franchise quarterback, leading an offense that seems to be gaining traction after a rocky start, propelling Chicago to wins against the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. This marks their best record since starting 5-1 during the 2020 season, and if they secure a win against Washington (5-2), it would mark their first four-game win streak since their 2018 NFC North championship run.
The teams the Bears have triumphed over so far have a combined dismal record of 6-20. Their defeats came against solid opponents like Indianapolis (4-3) and Houston (5-2). Following the Bears’ tough start to the season, several veteran players urged offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for a more intensive coaching approach after a loss to the Colts in Week 3. Receiver DJ Moore spoke about noticeable changes, particularly in their practices, saying, “Walk-throughs got real detailed… if you’re not out there doing the right thing, it will be seen, and we’re going to redo it, and that’s what really has been the difference right now.”
Over the last three games, Williams’ performance has been impressive, completing 60 out of 81 passes for a total of 687 yards, alongside seven touchdown passes and only one interception. This is a marked improvement after struggling with two touchdowns and four interceptions in the first three games. He notably shone in commanding victories against Carolina at Soldier Field and Jacksonville in London, particularly in a 35-16 win over the Jaguars where he threw for 226 yards and four touchdowns, also rushing for 56 yards. He registered a quarterback rating of 124.4, closely rivaling his previous week’s rating of 126.2 against Carolina—a notable achievement considering the historical context for rookie quarterbacks in Bears’ history.
However, it’s not only Williams’ on-field achievements that have impressed the team; his leadership qualities and interpersonal skills have also made a significant impact. Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen praised Williams, stating, “He’s a natural leader, a guy who is easy to be friendly with… But he’s obviously different. Good guy.”
In injury updates, safety Jaquan Brisker remains in concussion protocols after missing the last game and did not practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) also sat out after exiting the game against Jacksonville. Long snapper Scott Daly (knee) fully participated in practice after being sidelined during the last match, and tight end Cole Kmet stepped in for him. Meanwhile, the Bears have opened 21-day practice windows for offensive lineman Larry Borom (ankle) and running back Travis Homer (finger), signaling potential returns from injured reserve soon.
