Amidst a turbulent stretch for the Chicago Bears offense that culminated in the firing of coordinator Shane Waldron this week, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams finds himself at the center of the storm. As whispers circulate about veteran players potentially lobbying for backup Tyson Bagent to take the reins, the embattled signal-caller remains steadfast in his belief that his teammates have his back.
“We’ve had those conversations, and I feel the full support from the guys in this locker room,” Williams confided to reporters on Wednesday. “Since the coordinator change, I’ve received texts, calls, and in-person reassurances saying, ‘We’re with you, let’s go.’ That’s been the prevailing sentiment these past couple days, and it’s the only thing that matters.”
A Promising Start Turns Sour
The Bears’ 2024 first-round draft pick burst onto the scene with a sizzling start, posting a league-leading 88 QBR during back-to-back wins in Weeks 5 and 6. However, the rookie wall hit hard, as Williams’ play deteriorated drastically during the team’s current three-game skid against the Commanders, Cardinals, and Patriots.
Over this brutal stretch, the young quarterback ranks dead last among starters in completion percentage (50.5), yards per attempt (4.9), and sacks taken (18). He’s also tied for second-worst with zero touchdown passes. This alarming regression sealed Waldron’s fate, but where does Chicago go from here?
Teammates Rally Around Their QB
As the losses mount and frustrations boil over, it would be understandable for doubts to creep into the Bears’ huddle. Yet Williams’ teammates insist their belief in the rookie remains unshakable. Wide receiver DJ Moore offered his perspective:
“You’ve got to have his back, no matter what. He’s out there busting his butt, trying to learn everything on the fly, with defenses throwing the kitchen sink at him. Getting mad solves nothing. We’re still behind him 100%, and whatever he’s working through, he’ll improve. We’re in this together.”
– DJ Moore, Bears wide receiver
Eberflus Backs His QB, For Now
Head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that while players had voiced their displeasure with the offense’s direction, no one had specifically demanded a coordinator change or QB switch. He framed it as a hunger to improve rather than dissension:
“The guys just want to do more, to be more productive and effective in putting points on the board. It always came from a place of respect, with the intention to get better as a group and individually to help the team. To me, that desire to improve was very encouraging to see.”
– Matt Eberflus, Bears head coach
While Eberflus affirmed Williams as the starter for Sunday’s clash with the Packers, he stopped short of guaranteeing him the job for the rest of the season. “We’ll evaluate everything week to week and do what’s best for the team,” he clarified, leaving the door cracked for a potential QB change down the line.
Waldron’s Fatal Flaw: Too Nice?
In the aftermath of Waldron’s dismissal, receiver Keenan Allen offered a blunt assessment of where the ex-coordinator may have gone wrong. “He was probably too nice of a guy. In OTAs and camp, we fell into a trap of letting things slide, not holding guys accountable. That’s a slippery slope,” Allen observed. He anticipates a different vibe under new play-caller Thomas Brown, who Allen describes as “more of a no-BS type who won’t accept excuses.”
The Road Ahead
As Caleb Williams and the Bears prepare for a daunting visit from the 6-3 Packers, all eyes will be on how the rookie responds to this early career crossroads. With a restless fanbase and a coaching staff seeking “significant” offensive changes, the pressure is mounting on the young QB to reverse course and validate the team’s faith in him as their franchise cornerstone.
Though the storm clouds have gathered over Chicago, Williams remains confident that sunnier days lie ahead. Armed with the belief in his own abilities and the loyalty of the locker room, he’ll aim to prove his doubters wrong and repay the Bears’ investment in him, one play at a time. The next chapter of Caleb Williams’ NFL journey promises to be a compelling one, with no shortage of drama, scrutiny, and an organization’s fate hanging in the balance.
