“`html
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams has openly addressed the disappointment he’s feeling and how the ongoing losses are taking a toll on him.
This season is not unfolding as the talented quarterback or the Chicago Bears had hoped.
“You talk to yourself,” Williams stated on Wednesday. “You find ways to motivate and encourage yourself. Positive affirmations help make the tough days a bit easier, rather than dragging yourself down with negativity.”
Entering the season, the Bears (4-10) were optimistic about their playoff prospects following a proactive offseason. They selected Williams with the top pick in the draft, placing their trust in the 2022 Heisman Trophy recipient to become their franchise quarterback, filling a position that has eluded them for years. Additionally, they welcomed six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and made a significant draft pick in Rome Odunze at No. 9, creating a formidable receiving corps alongside star DJ Moore.
However, instead of making progress within the NFC North, the team finds itself at the bottom of the division, enduring an eight-game losing streak. Williams has struggled notably in recent outings, and the upcoming game against Detroit (12-2) at Soldier Field poses a new challenge.
Despite the Lions grappling with injuries and coming off a setback against Buffalo, which ended a record-breaking 11-game winning stretch, they remain in a strong position to vie for the top seed in the NFC. Remarkably, they haven’t dropped two consecutive games in over two years.
In Chicago’s recent 30-12 defeat to Minnesota, Williams appeared both physically and mentally drained. He totaled only 191 passing yards, following a dismal 134 yards the previous week against San Francisco, and was sacked twice, raising his league-leading total to 58—setting a new franchise record.
Throughout the tumultuous season, the Bears have seen the dismissal of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and made history by parting ways with head coach Matt Eberflus after Thanksgiving, triggered by a series of poor decision-making in critical moments. Williams’ current tally of losses as a professional matches the total he accumulated in one season at Oklahoma and two at Southern California.
Given this context, it’s understandable why he has resorted to positive self-affirmation, though his journey hasn’t been entirely void of highlights. He has displayed moments of promise while successfully protecting the ball—setting an NFL rookie record by completing 286 consecutive passes without an interception, which is also the longest streak for any quarterback in Bears history.
Yet, in a city haunted by the struggles of high-profile draft picks like Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, the hits Williams is taking have raised concerns. He rushed through his plays and was out of rhythm against the Vikings, mirroring his performance from the prior week.
“Every player’s different, so I’m not certain about what you’re referencing in the past—no need to elaborate,” interim coach Thomas Brown commented. “I take him at his word when he says he doesn’t see ghosts.”
One fact that Williams does concede is his frustration.
“Losing is something that deeply impacts me,” he expressed. “It’s challenging. However, I recognize where I am in my career and where I aim to be. Understanding that is vital for me.”
In injury updates, running back Roschon Johnson (concussion), who has missed the last two games, would have fully participated in practice on Wednesday if a normal session had been conducted instead of a walkthrough.
“`