Caleb Williams and Bears teammates’ stunningly bold pregame move pays huge dividends with much-needed win over Rams
The Chicago Bears pulled out all the stops to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
And it worked to perfection as they got a pivotal 24-18 victory at Soldier Field to move to 2-2 for the season.
The Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to lead them into a new era.
They also added D'Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen and Gerald Everett, but have been experiencing teething issues to start the season.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Williams and tight ends Cole Kmet and Marcedes Lewis met with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron this week because they wanted the offense to be "more aggressive" moving forwards.
“I talked to Marcedes Lewis last night, and Marcedes said he, Cole Kmet, and their quarterback Caleb Williams all went and had a private meeting – it’s not private anymore – and said ‘Hey coach, we’re not a Pop Warner team," Glazer said.
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"You’ve got to coach us up. Coach me up even though I’m in Year 19. Coach up Caleb even though he’s a rookie.
"You’ve got to get more aggressive in coaching us together.’ And he does think there is going to be a difference.”
It was a bold play but one that ultimately paid off as the Bears got back in the win column in Week 4.
Williams completed 17 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Swift rushed for 93 yards in 16 carries. He also caught seven passes for 72 yards.
It was a huge bounce back victory for the rebuilding Bears, one that may have come after openness and accountability with their OC.
"I want to be coached. I want to be great. ... This is not for play. This is our job. We understand that. It's a high-stress, production-based business and we've all got to be doing the same things, or everybody gets fired. Ego is supposed to be left at the door. He's very receptive to that.
"Sometimes as the coach coming in, you might be walking on eggshells. I just kind of put that to bed. Nobody's sensitive in here. We want to win games just as bad as you do. It's a collaborative effort. This is not Pop Warner."
Offensive coordinator Waldron is in his first year in Chicago after building a solid reputation with the Seattle Seahawks in recent years.
To be fair, he's been receptive to his shortcomings this season, reportedly highlighting some of his worst play calls in front of his players and taking responsibility for them.
"I got to be better in that situation, and I will moving forward," Waldron said.
Heading into the game against the Rams, the Bears ranked 31st with 72.7 yards per game and 31st in yards per attempt at 3.03.
Chicago's offensive line has been a serious worry, too, begging the question of why they didn't draft an offensive lineman with the ninth overall pick in the draft -- which they used on wide receiver Odunze.
Williams has rarely looked comfortable in the pocket but he's also received minimal protection and taken unnecessary hits.
He was loudly booed by the home crowd on Sunday after a 3 and out in the first quarter.
However, Williams grew into the game, throwing a dart to DJ Moore on Chicago's first drive of the second half for a touchdown.
On the following drive he found Kmet for a big gain before Swift ran up the gut for a 36-yard touchdown.
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Williams was far from perfect, but in the second half showed glimpses of what he's capable of.