LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears are set to let Caleb Williams make another appearance in the season’s finale instead of opting to rest their celebrated rookie quarterback for the matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Interim head coach Thomas Brown dismissed any notion of sidelining Williams for this Sunday’s contest at Lambeau Field, stating that the idea wasn’t on the agenda during discussions with the team management. Moreover, he reaffirmed that all other healthy starters would also take to the field.
“Regarding Caleb, there has been no conversation about him not playing. That topic has simply not been raised,” Brown commented during a press conference on Monday.
The Bears, currently at a disappointing 4-12 record, are enduring a tough stretch with ten consecutive losses. The first overall pick in the recent draft, Williams, has faced a franchise-high and league-leading 67 sacks this season. However, the Bears believe that playing him against their rivals, the Packers, will be more advantageous than the injury threat he faces.
“Part of Caleb’s growth is continuously exploring ways to help him excel week after week, including his ability to safeguard himself and enhance his performance,” Brown explained. “Opportunities are fleeting, and I can’t bear the idea of time being wasted. Each moment matters, and I intend to capitalize on every single one.”
Historically, the Bears have never experienced a losing streak of over ten games in a single season, having previously ended the 2022 season with ten losses in a row—part of a franchise-record 14-game skid that started with the season’s initial four matchups.
Anticipations were high at the start of the season, but everything went south following a promising 4-2 start.
Circumstances led to the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after a loss against New England in Week 10, while head coach Matt Eberflus was relieved of his duties for the first time in franchise history following a distressing loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving due to a string of questionable late-game choices. Under Brown’s leadership, the Bears are winless after four games.
The current situation is far from what the Bears had envisioned, especially given their summer acquisitions, with Caleb Williams leading the way. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California has showcased impressive talent with his agility and precision in passing.
Having started all games this season, Williams has thrown for 3,393 yards, placing him fifth on the Bears’ all-time single-season list. He has 19 touchdowns and six interceptions to his name, even achieving a rookie record of 353 passes without an interception before being picked off by Seattle’s Riq Woolen during a 6-3 defeat last Thursday.
Though his remarkable skills shine through, Williams’ habit of holding the ball too long has increased the number of hits he’s taken this season. The previous best for most sacks allowed by the Bears was 66 in 2004, which saw four different quarterbacks take the helm.
Competing in a division where the other three teams boast at least 11 victories and experienced quarterbacks, Williams is finding himself in a challenging situation.
“Caleb possesses immense talent and has all the necessary attributes for a quarterback in this league,” tight end Cole Kmet stated. “However, nothing surpasses the value of experience, which our divisional rivals possess in abundance. This gives them a considerable edge. That said, I believe the most significant progress players usually make occurs between Year 1 and Year 2, and Caleb is likely preparing for that transition.”
