The Chicago Bears lost an ugly one to Green Bay last week. It seemed that was enough to write off the team in the media’s eyes. They didn’t bother to acknowledge that quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t play in that game. The obvious explanation is that the Bears are overrated. Combine that with the unfounded rumors about his hamstring injury a few weeks ago, and Williams had some serious beef with media members going into this week. Head coach Ben Johnson acknowledged as much after the game on Sunday, saying the quarterback looked extra motivated during their study sessions.
It didn’t take long after the Bears closed out a 31-23 victory in Atlanta that Williams was ready to vent some frustration. During an on-field interview after the game, he admitted that one of the incidents that really got him going came from a segment on ESPN Get Up where every member of the panel selected the Falcons to win the game.
Caleb Williams wasn’t done.
A few moments later, after walking into the tunnel, the quarterback approached the locker room. Several media members were waiting outside for the green light to enter. Williams looked directly at them and said, “Ya’ll like that?” It is clear as day that he channeled a lot of personal anger at how his injury was handled, along with the widespread doubts about his team, into that performance. Williams finished 30-of-36 for 305 yards and a touchdown. It was the most efficient football game he has played to date.
It is another reminder that this player thrives on being doubted. All that talk for weeks about him playing up the injury for sympathy and not being that important to the offense was more than enough. Throwing the Falcons pick sweep on top was icing on the cake. In hindsight, we should’ve seen this coming. Caleb Williams has some Michael Jordan in him. The more you question him, the more locked in he gets. If anything, the media did the Bears a huge favor with all of that nonsense.
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The Bears will need this version moving forward.
Things don’t get any easier next week. Chicago must return home to host the New England Patriots, fresh off their Super Bowl appearance and winners of 3 of their last 4. Drake Maye crushed Williams in their last meeting two years ago. That is certain to get the Bears quarterback revved up for Thursday night. The good news is that Coach Johnson is pretty good on short weeks. He’s 3-1 as a head coach with 6 days or fewer in between games. Williams will be ready.
If what we saw in Atlanta is the version we see moving forward, the NFL is in trouble. Williams was already tough to defend when he was inefficient. If he’s learned how to accept the easier throws, it will be the equivalent of Jordan learning how to pass the ball in 1991. Everybody knows how that ended. If nothing else, it will certainly be lots of fun to watch.
