The Chicago Bears will try to snap their tie with the Green Bay Packers, with more at stake than they have faced since the 2021 season. That was before Caleb Williams’ time with the Bears, with the second-year QB set for his professional playoff debut on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.
Williams and the Bears came up short in back-to-back weeks heading into this contest.
After their last loss, in Week 18 to the Detroit Lions, Williams sat at his locker. His backup, Case Keenum, sat beside him, and the sentiments behind their conversation are key.
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Williams finished the Bears’ loss ot the Lions with 212 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 60.6% completion. He did not mince words about the loss being disappointing, particularly after the offense remained scoreless for three quarters.
Williams spoke candidly about that conversation with Keenum. The Bears brought the wily veteran in for moments just like this.
Both QBs played their parts in the exchange just as the Bears would draw it up.
“After a loss, you’re supremely frustrated. And so, and not coming out with the win, it’s frustrating in a game that you feel like you could have won, should have won,” Williams told Clocker Sports after the game.
“From there, it’s just the vet talking to the young guy, trying to help me and figure out and find ways to help this team help–my growth and for this team–but also the future of this team.”
On Monday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson expressed confidence in Williams for the playoffs.
“He played in a lot of big games over the course of his life,” Johnson told reporters on January 5. “I think he’s primed and he’s ready to go. He was built for these moments; he plays his best when we need him to. And so, there’s really not a whole lot that needs to be said. He just needs to be him.”
Williams has been open about the Bears drafting him for these situations. They will face an opponent whom he has faced four times in his career. And yet, only two of those games have come with both teams striving for the same thing: to advance to the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
His play has been erratic. But the Bears have won because of Williams more often than not this season, despite some of the rough edges.
He urged the team to “use this frustration.”
They have to. Another slow start against this Packers team–that will have several players that were unavailable in their last meeting–could prove insurmountable, and the loser of this matchup will see their season come to an unceremonious end.