The Chicago Bears faced a defining moment of their season. Green Bay held grimly to a 16-9 lead. There were just seconds remaining. It was 4th down and 4. It was six yards to the end zone. Caleb Williams had one last chance to keep the Bears’ hopes alive. The ball was snapped. The Packers called a full-house blitz, getting a rusher unblocked off the left side. Williams waited, retreated, and then lofted the ball towards the back right corner of the end zone. Many felt he’d overthrown it. Then, undrafted rookie receiver Jahdae Walker, completely uncovered, skied up to get it for the game-tying touchdown.

Everything about the play was unexpected. Many thought the obvious decision was going to D.J. Moore or Colston Loveland, who’ve been great red zone targets in those situations. Ben Johnson could’ve even drawn up a play where Williams used his legs. Instead, he had the confidence to call a play that gave an untested rookie an opportunity for a signature moment. No one saw it coming.

Except maybe Williams himself.

Walker revealed on Monday during his presser that the Bears quarterback randomly started bringing him in for private workouts midway through the season. The receiver wasn’t sure why and didn’t ask any questions. Hearing this makes you wonder if Williams knew that moment was coming.

“And I feel like our relationship just building from all the way from camp, just running through routes and going through routes and just, I don’t know, like it was one game, I forget what game it was, but he had texted me. He was like, after the game, he was like, ‘What you doing?’ I was like, ‘Heading back home.’ He was like, ‘Could you meet me in the indoor?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I ain’t play. Like I can meet you there.’ And we went to the indoor and we were there for like three to four hours, just throwing routes, running through routes, just, he was working on his scramble drill, throwing and that showed me how much of a leader he is and how much he cares about his processing, his work ethic and how he performs and the way he prepares for each game. Like, it’s crazy.”

There is likely one reason Williams kept Jahdae Walker ready.

He knew there was going to come a point where the Bears’ coaching staff would shake up the wide receiver situation. Why? An educated guess is that he sensed one of his teammates would fall out of favor. That was Olamide Zaccheaus. The veteran free agent signing had a great training camp, but it became apparent as the season unfolded that he was unreliable. Williams’ epiphany moment likely came after either the win over Washington in week six or the win over New York in week ten. Zacchaeus had two dropped passes in both of those games.

One thing Jahdae Walker proved throughout the preseason was that he had reliable hands in big moments. Williams wasn’t going to openly campaign for Zacchaeus to be replaced. That isn’t what leaders do. He knew it would be up to the coaches to make that decision. However, what he could do was start preparing Walker for the eventual moment he’d get his chance. Sure enough, after another brutal drop by Zaccheaus against Green Bay, the rookie’s time arrived.

He didn’t disappoint.

Caleb Williams knows exactly what he’s doing when he uses references from Chicago royalty.

After the Bears win over Green Bay to move to 11–4, Caleb Williams posted a clip of Michael Jordan delivering one of the coldest lines in sports history:

“You still gotta come through Chicago. Utah, Indiana, they still gotta come through Chicago. I don’t care what happens today. I don’t care what happened in the other series. Still gotta come through Chicago.”

Jordan said it following a crushing Game 4 loss by the Chicago Bulls to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals—the night Reggie Miller delivered his infamous push-off and game-winning jumper. It was MJ’s final run with the Bulls, the series felt like it was slipping, and yet he sounded completely unbothered.

That’s what makes the quote timeless. Calm. Certain. Almost therapeutic.

Seeing Williams reference it now hits differently. The Bears just beat Green Bay, and clinched a playoff berth, and their quarterback is visibly growing into himself. His confidence is not forced or performative, it’s authentic. Each week, Williams looks more like the player everyone believed he could be coming out of college.

The MJ reference isn’t accidental. It’s a statement. Chicago isn’t sneaking up on anyone. If teams want to get where they’re going, they still have to come through Chicago.

And for the first time in a long time, that feels real.

The Chicago Bears went into Soldier Field on Saturday night hoping to slay their demons by knocking off the Green Bay Packers in a meaningful game. This is not something that has happened in decades. Sure, the Bears beat them in 2018 for the division title, but the Packers weren’t good that year. The last big game was 2013, and that was the infamous Randall Cobb 4th down game. It looked like this would go the same way as many others, until Caleb Williams happened in the 4th quarter.

Aided by an onside kick, the Bears quarter tied the game 16-16 with seconds left on a touchdown to Jahdae Walker. Then, in overtime, a defensive stop on 4th down gave them the ball with a chance to win. On the fourth play of the drive, Williams lofted a pristine 46-yard bomb to D.J. Moore for a touchdown. Insanity ensues. As Bears fans went crazy in one of the greatest moments ever at Soldier Field, they didn’t know that less than 16 miles away, the team was quietly taking a big step towards its future, according to Joseph S. Pete of The Times of Northwest Indiana.

The Chicago Bears are conducting preliminary testing on a potential stadium site in Hammond that borders the City of Chicago and lies in the shadow of the Midwest’s largest oil refinery.

As the Bears won a thrilling overtime walk-off victory against the rival Packers, trucks and drilling equipment were dispatched this weekend to Wolf Lake in north Hammond’s Robertsdale neighborhood to scout out a potential replacement for Soldier Field. A source close to the project said the trucks were drilling and testing a potential stadium site for the Bears.

Workers had placed green and yellow flags to identify where buried water and gas lines were located south of Wolf Lake Memorial Park.

The Chicago Bears are showing they’re dead serious.

Kevin Warren made it clear in his public statement on Wednesday that this is not a leverage play. When the Illinois state government made it clear that they wouldn’t engage the team on infrastructure talks for the Arlington Heights location in 2026, it was a line in the sand. With the blessing of the McCaskey family, Warren opened the door for talks with the Indiana governor and state officials about a potential site in Hammond. It is just over the border, around 30 minutes from downtown along the lakefront.

It is a heavily industrialized area that has been in need of a makeover for several years. That is probably why the state is so eager to put a team like the Chicago Bears there. It would attract a large number of tourists to the location and generate significant business. That kind of money could help elevate the entire region as a more attractive destination, which is something the state has sought for a long time. One thing is certain: the Bears wouldn’t be bothering with this if it were a bluff. They’re serious, and this could move really fast if Pritzker and the Illinois government aren’t careful.

The Chicago Bears had a clear vision for what they wanted when they entered the 2024 NFL draft. Everybody on the planet knew they were taking a quarterback. It was only a matter of deciding which one. There were multiple options. You had the Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels from LSU, or the prototypical talent, Drake Maye from North Carolina. However, the one most agreed was that the best prospect by a comfortable margin was Caleb Williams of USC. His combination of arm strength, accuracy, mobility, and playmaking instincts was super rare. If a team could put him into the right situation, he had superstar potential.

After bungling the first season by keeping Matt Eberflus and his staff, the Bears quickly pivoted to the infinitely more qualified Ben Johnson this year. Last Saturday night, everything came to fruition as Williams fired two 4th quarter and overtime touchdowns to cap an improbable comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers. It was his sixth of the season. According to NFL research, Williams is now only the second quarterback in league history to accomplish that feat under the age of 25.

The other name in that group? Peyton Manning.

Caleb Williams shares a lot in common with the Hall of Famer.

Both were #1 overall picks. Manning took over a franchise that had been down and out for years. His rookie season was a constant struggle, as he went 3-13 and set the NFL record for most interceptions by a first-year quarterback. The next year, he overcame a sluggish start to carry the Indianapolis Colts to a 13-3 record, characterized by constant late-game magic. While the fun ended with a close playoff loss to Tennessee, it was a clear sign that big things were on the horizon. Manning developed into the face of the NFL, leading the Colts to a decade of glory, including a Super Bowl title.

It feels like Caleb Williams is on that same path. He’s finding his self-confidence amidst a series of death-defying victories. Each week shows him getting closer to mastering the art of his position. He has an excellent coaching staff guiding his path. The talent around him is improving. The Bears have made the playoffs and posted their first 11-win season in 15 years. Nobody knows how far they will go. What they do know is the Bears have finally found their guy after decades of searching.

The Chicago Bears won a contentious game on Saturday by taking down the Green Bay Packers. A big part of how it all unfolded came when quarterback Jordan Love was knocked out with a concussion. It came during a nasty collision with Bears edge rusher Austin Booker in the 2nd quarter. The play drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. Nobody disputed the infraction. If you hit a quarterback in the helmet, it’s a penalty. That is just how it is. However, the Packers weren’t satisfied with that.

Some of their players openly complained that Booker should’ve been punished even more. Not just a penalty but an outright ejection. Maybe a possible suspension. They feel the Bears defender was head-hunting on the play.

That seems a little extreme from a team that isn’t known for outspoken complaints like this. Do they have a case? No. Not even close. A replay shows what happened in clear detail. Booker beat his man late as Love was tangled up with Gervon Dexter. His stature was a little high, but not high enough to go right for the quarterback’s head. That changed when Love ducked to brace for the hit. Had he stayed upright, Booker would’ve caught him on the chest.

The Packers have no evidence to plead their case on Austin Booker.

Was it a penalty? Yes. The Bears’ defender will also probably get fined for leading with his helmet too much. However, to say he had an outright intent to purposely injure Love is ridiculous. The quarterback played his own role in that mess. Part of the outcry probably stems from the fact that Booker had a good game. He earned half a sack, a QB hit, and four pressures on the night. Seeing a player send your quarterback to the sideline, keep playing well, and beat you is hard to take.

Not that Austin Booker cares. His mission on the play was getting Love on the ground. He couldn’t afford to stop and ponder if he was coming in with too much force. He’s wired to see the ball, get the ball. Chances to get shots on the quarterback are rare. Sometimes, body positioning can lead to injuries. It is a violent sport. Calling for a player to be punished for an accident is bad form on the Packers’ part, proving they remain adept at complaining when they don’t get the results they want. Ask the Philadelphia Eagles about the Tush Push.

The Chicago Bears did their part. They came back to stun the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night 22-16. That victory pushed them to 11-4 on the season. All that stood between them and their first playoff berth in five years was the Pittsburgh Steelers going into Detroit and beating the Lions. It was asking a lot. Detroit was at home and desperate. Pittsburgh wouldn’t have T.J. Watt on defense. They would need a big performance from Aaron Rodgers and the offense. Fortunately, that is what they got.

Rodgers threw for an efficient 266 yards and a touchdown while the Steelers running game exploded for 283 yards and three touchdowns. They led 29-17 with under seven minutes to go in the 4th quarter. Then Detroit scored to make it 29-24. Pittsburgh had a chance to put it away, but missed a field goal. The Lions had a window. They marched down the field to the Steelers’ 9-yard line. On 4th down, a hook and ladder play from Amon-Ra St. Brown to Jared Goff appeared to score, but St. Brown was called for offensive pass interference.

Game over. The Bears are headed to the postseason.

Aaron Rodgers finally got some payback.

Winning the game was far more important for other reasons than helping the Bears. Rodgers hadn’t forgotten that his last three games against the Lions were all losses, including his final game in Green Bay. There is no question that he viewed this matchup as his last chance to get some revenge on an old rival. The fact that he did it in Detroit when it was a game they absolutely could not afford to lose was fitting. It was also the latest sign that whatever magic the Lions have had the past few years has dimmed considerably.

The Bears, by contrast, have accomplished a mission many thought was impossible this year. They went from 5-12 and a complete dumpster fire to one of the most physical and resilient teams in the league. Thanks to six 4th quarter comebacks, they are in the postseason for only the third time in the last 15 years. They’re also on the cusp of winning the NFC North title, finally fulfilling GM Ryan Poles’ pledge to take the north. It would guarantee them at least one home game next month.

Caleb Williams seemed to live for playing games in crunch time. He’d already led five 4th quarter comebacks this season and almost had another two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers. He would need another on Saturday night. The Packers led 16-6 with under five minutes to play. A field goal cut the lead to seven with two minutes left. Chicago needed an onside kick to have a realistic chance. Josh Blackwell made the play. Williams wasted no time, driving down the field and finding Jahdae Walker for the tying touchdown, forcing overtime.

Green Bay tried asserting itself again in OT, quickly reaching Bears territory. However, they botched a snap on 4th down, turning it over on downs. Three plays later, Chicago had the ball at the Packers’ 46. Williams recognized a coverage he and head coach Ben Johnson had been waiting for all night. He checked into the right play, ran a fake, and launched a bomb to D.J. Moore for the game-winning touchdown.

In the bedlam that followed, people didn’t notice a casual move Williams pulled. Right after letting the throw go, he slipped his hands back into a warmer pocket on his waist. Tom Brady, who was calling the game, recognized it immediately for what it was.

Williams knew the throw was good.

Caleb Williams continues to show his confidence.

He said last week that he can make any throw. People chalked that up to arrogance. Time keeps proving otherwise. Certain quarterbacks know the moment they let a ball go that it’s good. It stems from thousands of repetitions in practice and previous games. You develop a feel for what the right motion is. It’s similar to a basketball player’s shot or a baseball player’s swing. Williams knew that if he found enough space to step up, he could put the ball precisely where he wanted it for D.J. Moore to catch.

Getting a tip of the cap from the G.O.A.T. himself was icing on the cake. Brady didn’t play 22 years and not gain a clear understanding of when a quarterback is doing a heat check. That is what Caleb Williams did. Don’t let anybody tell you different. It was the equivalent of Derrick Rose hitting that winning shot against Cleveland in the playoffs without cracking a smile. Williams let everybody know that the “Ice Man” nickname isn’t for show.

It was stunning. That doesn’t happen, not in these matchups. For 30 years, the Green Bay Packers have owned the Chicago Bears. Twice a year, these teams meet, and the Packers take the lead, either blowing them out or calmly watching the Bears fail as they try to mount a comeback. Not this time. Despite holding a 16-9 lead with under two minutes to go, the Packers gave up an onside kick, allowed a tying TD to an undrafted rookie, and then gave up a long touchdown in overtime to lose. It was easily the worst collapse by a Green Bay team against Chicago in decades.

One Packers fan believes it served as evidence that the Packers might be cursed. Why? Watching that final sequence unfold, Hunter Baumgardt was immediately given PTSD stemming from the Packers’ epic meltdown in the 2014 NFC championship against the Seattle Seahawks. It sounds like a stretch at first, until you see the video evidence he delivers. All three decisive plays the Bears had – the onside kick, TD to Walker, and TD to Moore – were eerily similar to the three decisive plays Seattle delivered to end Green Bay’s season 11 years ago.

The Chicago Bears likely enjoyed bringing back those memories.

One could argue the Packers have never been the same since that loss to Seattle. Up until that point, Green Bay was 3-2 in conference title games, with both losses being to the eventual Super Bowl champions. The Packers were red hot. They’d won eight of their last nine games. They had the #1 offense in the NFL and a Hall of Fame quarterback at the peak of his powers. Everybody felt this would be the coronation of the next dynasty that had been started in 2010 with that Super Bowl win. Then Seattle ruined it.

Since then, the Packers have reached three more NFC championships and lost all three. They wasted the remaining years of Rodgers’ incredible career and haven’t even reached a conference title game with his successor, Jordan Love. Now their most hated rivals are on the cusp of winning a division title that was supposed to be theirs. All of this settling in over the course of less than 24 hours is a good way to make you wonder if your team might somehow be cursed.

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers played their second classic game in three weeks on Saturday night. It played out much in the same way. Green Bay built a big lead early, controlled the football well, and seemed to have the Bears befuddled. Then Ben Johnson figured out some of the issues and launched a spirited comeback in the second half. Or more accurately, it was the 4th quarter this time. Green Bay led 13-3 and 16-6 at one point. Everything pointed to the Packers cruising to another victory. Matt LaFleur had orchestrated another masterclass.

Things then got crazy. Cairo Santos hit a 51-yard field goal in swirling winds. Josh Blackwell recovered an onside kick. Caleb Williams hit undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker for the game-tying touchdown to force overtime. Green Bay fumbled the snap on 4th and 1 in their first OT possession. Finally, Williams hit D.J. Moore with a 46-yard bomb to steal the game and possibly the division. Yet none of that mattered to the hosts of Stadium Live. They were focused on one thing.

How long would the postgame handshake between Johnson and LaFleur be? After all, they bet actual money that it would end in less than 1.5 seconds.

Ben Johnson would have little respect for those men.

People will bet on anything these days. This entire situation originated two weeks ago. Green Bay had just picked off Williams to seal their 28-21 victory at Lambeau Field. Johnson and LaFleur met at midfield, shared a brief handshake, and went their separate ways. Few words were shared. Most believed this stemmed from the icy relationship they had, as Johnson had said he enjoyed beating LaFleur twice a year as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. The Packers coach took that personally, and it carried over into the handshake.

Ben Johnson thought nothing of it. He’s had handshakes go that exact way several times. LaFleur didn’t think it meant much either. That didn’t stop these guys from placing bets for actual money on it happening again. The gambling scene is truly wild. This isn’t the first time this has happened, too. A few months ago, they bet that Williams’ first pass in a preseason game would fall incomplete. It didn’t.

The Chicago Bears comeback win over Green Bay on Sunday is one many Bears fans will remember for a long time. But Ben Johnson managed to add one more unforgettable moment and it came after the final whistle.

As the Bears completed one of the most epic comebacks of the season at Soldier Field, cameras caught Johnson and Matt LaFleur meeting at midfield. The handshake lasted roughly 2.5 seconds. No smiles. Just business. And Bears fans immediately noticed something else: Johnson appeared to mimic the exact same quick, dismissive handshake gesture LaFleur used on him just two weeks earlier when Green Bay won.

Coincidence? Probably not.

Johnson has already made it clear how much this rivalry means to him. In his very first press conference as Bears head coach, he openly said he loved beating the Packers twice a year back when he was in Detroit. That attitude has clearly followed him to Chicago and it showed in that brief, icy exchange.

There’s real bad blood here. The players don’t like each other. The head coaches don’t like each other. And honestly, that’s great for the league. Rivalries are supposed to feel personal, emotional, and a little petty.

Johnson’s response screamed a Michael Jordan–style mentality: remember everything, forget nothing, and use it all as fuel. It’s an elite trait for a head coach — competitive, relentless, and unapologetic.

If this was just the beginning of the Ben Johnson era in Chicago, Bears fans are in for a wild ride.