Jul 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (8) is helped off the field by a Chicago Cubs trainer and manager Craig Counsell (11) after fouling a ball off his foot against the Milwaukee Brewers in the eighth inning at American Family Field. Happ did not return to bat after being taken out of the game. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has shaken up the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. Most noticeably, Ian Happ has been moved down from the three spot to fifth, while Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki have been bumped up to the heart of the batting order after the duo were hitting fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres.
Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner are still the top two hitters in Counsell’s Game 1 lineup. The Cubs are balanced up and down the batting order, going lefty-righty until Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw at the bottom of the lineup.
Happ was on fire during the final 2.5 months of the regular season, but there’s no doubt that he struggles facing high velocity. He was 1-for-11, with six strikeouts and no walks against the Padres, consistently chasing fastballs up and out of the zone. Freddy Peralta is the starting pitcher for the Brewers and the hard-throwing righty has dominated Happ.
The Cubs’ left fielder is only 2-for-32 in his career against Peralta with 14 strikeouts and six walks.
Peralta has been tough to hit his entire career and that’s no different against these Cubs hitters. Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong are the only two batters in the lineup with good numbers against the Brewers’ Game 1 starter as both left-handed hitters are 5-for-11 facing Peralta.
Meanwhile, Matthew Boyd is starting on three days rest after throwing 58 pitches on Tuesday. The Brewers don’t have much experience against the lefty, but William Contreras has seen him well, going 4-for-9 with a home run against Boyd. Andrew Vaughn and Christian Yelich have also homered off Boyd in their careers.
Sep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) misses a throw during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Criticizing a draft pick after just four games is par for the course these days from football fans. It’s amazing to hear people say what a tragic mistake it was for the Chicago Bears to draft Colston Loveland barely a month into the season. This comes despite clear evidence that the young tight end has significant pass-catching ability. It is merely that his numbers haven’t been otherworldly, and then he missed Sunday’s game in Las Vegas with a minor hip issue. Bust. It’s over—wasted pick.
Aside from that being ridiculous, it also didn’t take long for those same people to get a taste of why the Bears took Loveland in the first place. Cole Kmet is a good football player. He does several things well. Still, the game against the Raiders showed why he has never quite blossomed as a true go-to target in the passing game. He caught only three of nine passes thrown his way, including a brutal drop and another he probably should’ve had along the sidelines. Add two false starts, and he didn’t exactly erase memories of Loveland.
Kmet had one dropped pass in the game and he would tell you it wasn’t his best showing as he was also called for two false starts, an issue that has plagued the offense as a whole…
…What also stood out: Kmet was targeted nine times by Caleb Williams, his highest total in 10 games dating to last season. He made only three catches for 46 yards (with a team-long 29-yarder) but he has been highly productive as a target in the past.
Ben Johnson knew what he was doing by drafting Colston Loveland.
Make no mistake. The Bears’ head coach scouted the entire roster before taking the job. He knew what Kmet could and couldn’t do. Taking Colston Loveland 10th overall was a clear message that he didn’t think the Bears were strong enough at that position. Is that cold? Sure. This is the NFL, though. Almost everybody is replaceable. You either produce at a high level or eventually get supplanted by someone the team thinks can. Kmet has been fortunate so far that the team hasn’t geared game plans to get Loveland more involved. There is a strong possibility that a change is coming out of the bye, especially after what happened in Las Vegas.
Either way, fans would do well to remember that the pick wasn’t made for instant gratification. Chicago needed to have a long-term outlook with Loveland. Watching Kmet served as a reminder of why looking at the big picture is so important.
Apr 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (30) walks to the mound during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs have made one noticeable adjustment to their NLDS roster against the Milwaukee Brewers as manager Craig Counsell has replaced veteran left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers with second-year pitcher Ben Brown.
Rogers, who the Cubs acquired at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitched one scoreless inning in the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres. The lefty ended the regular season with an overall 3.38 ERA in 50.2 innings, but had a handful of bad appearances with the Cubs. Rogers pitched in 17 games for the Cubs in the final two months of the regular season and recorded a 5.09 ERA in 17.2 innings.
As for Brown, the 26-year-old had a mixed 2025 season. He began the year as the team’s No. 5 starter, had mixed results in April and then suffered some awful outings that led to his eventual demotion to Triple-A. Brown was never able to fully recapture the trust from Counsell to stay in the rotation and ended the season with a 5.92 ERA, striking out 121 batters in 106.1 innings.
However, Brown has pitched incredibly well against the Brewers in his short career and that includes two good starts against Milwaukee this year. In 11 combined innings, Brown gave up a total of two runs on 10 hits, while striking out nine and walking two.
Overall against the Brewers, Brown has a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings with 19 strikeouts and four walks.
Craig Counsell explains the decision to carry Ben Brown on the Cubs' NLDS roster. pic.twitter.com/E1FBEiBWWE
After exhausting the bullpen against the Padres the Cubs may be getting a break with the NLDS schedule. The first three games will be Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, giving Counsell a day off between each game to rest his top relievers.
Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Look, if you’re a Bears fan and you’re not scouting college tape by now, what the hell are you doing? The NFL Draft may be months away, but Saturdays are where championship rosters are built. And with the Bears still in talent acquisition mode (despite Caleb-mania taking over), there are holes that need filling. I’m talking Grand Canyon-sized holes at edge, safety, and yes, running back — because D’Andre Swift is currently averaging fewer yards per carry than a damn QB sneak.
So I’ve done the work. Scoured the slate. And I’ve got five absolute dogs you need to watch TODAY, October 4th. These are real-deal prospects that align with the Bears’ biggest 2026 draft needs. Set your alarms. Fire up the DVR (if they still make those) and let’s ride.
D’Andre Swift has been a ghost behind the line, averaging a disgusting 3.3 YPC. The run game is DOA, ranking 24th league-wide. Enter: Jeremiyah Love. This dude isn’t just the best back in the draft — he might be the only one worth a damn in the first round.
Why He Fits Chicago: Ben Johnson’s offense hums with versatile backs (see: Gibbs, Jahmyr). Love is that type of weapon. He’s not just fast — he’s purposeful. Cuts hard. Finishes runs. Can catch out the backfield. Marcus Freeman straight up said he’s “a never seen talent.” Love’s already got 341 yards, 5 TDs, and a 5.2 YPC clip this year.
Today’s Game: Boise State gives up 168+ on the ground. Love’s about to feast on national TV.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (vs. Minnesota, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
If Caleb Downs falls to the Bears, sprint the damn card in.
I’m not exaggerating — Downs is arguably the best defender in the country and a top-5 lock in every legit mock. The Alabama transfer turned Buckeye is a heat-seeking missile in the secondary.
189 tackles. 14 pass breakups. 11 tackles for loss. And oh yeah, a 2024 unanimous All-American who helped win a natty. Downs isn’t just a tackler—he’s a tone-setter. Physical. Smart. Ballhawk. Exactly what the Bears have been missing since peak Eddie Jackson.
Why He Fits Chicago: The Bears’ secondary lacks identity. Downs IS identity. He’d immediately become the soul of the defense.
Tonight’s Test: Minnesota has some decent vertical concepts. Watch how Downs diagnoses and closes.
The Bears are sleepwalking through pass-rush situations with a league-worst 10.2% pass rush win rate. Rueben Bain Jr. might be the cure — and the hype is real. ESPN called him the potential #1 overall pick for a reason.
Why He Fits Chicago: He’s built like a brick wall (6-3, 275) but moves like a ballerina with C4 in his cleats. 19 pressures, 3 sacks, 22 tackles in four games. Oh, and a 95.8 PFF grade, which basically means he’s playing like a damn cheat code.
Tonight’s Matchup: FSU has legit tackles. Bain puts a big performance here? His stock skyrockets.
If you want a mauler who fits the Bears’ nasty streak, Spencer Fano is your guy.
Fano may not be a household name like some blue-blood tackles, but he’s quickly becoming a rising star in the 2026 class. At 6-5, 310, he brings that Polynesian lineman DNA — tough, technical, and absolutely relentless. Chicago needs a tone-setter on the line, and Fano plays like every snap is personal.
Why He Fits Chicago: The Bears want physicality and versatility. Fano has played both tackle spots and has the athleticism to pull, climb, and block in space — perfect for Ben Johnson’s wide-zone scheme. He’s a technician in pass pro and finishes guys like he’s angry they exist.
Stats + Tape: Utah’s run game averages 5.4 YPC when running behind him, and he’s only allowed 1 sack in 18 career starts. Scouts are already buzzing about his explosive first step and ability to reset hands mid-rep.
Tonight’s Matchup: Late-night Pac-12 action against Arizona. Fano will be tested by speed off the edge, so it’s a great chance to see how he handles twitchy rushers.
5. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (vs. North Carolina, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN)
Wake up early. T.J. Parker is worth it.
Another edge beast to watch, and arguably the most polished of the bunch. Parker has drawn Jared Verse comparisons, and CBS called him “the cleanest prospect” among all DEs.
51 pressures. 12 sacks. 6-3, 265. The size, strength, and bend are all there. He wins with power, technique, AND effort — rare combo in a college edge. The Bears haven’t had that kind of complete guy since Khalil Mack was still wrecking gameplans.
Why He Fits Chicago: Parker isn’t a project — he’s plug-and-play. And if Bain is the flashy upside guy, Parker’s the rock-solid starter who gives you 10 sacks and 900 snaps a year.
Today’s Game: Noon kick vs. a good UNC offense. Watch how he sets the edge and compresses pockets. Scouts will.
Final Verdict
If you’re serious about this Bears rebuild, you better have your Saturdays booked. Each of these five guys — Love, Downs, Bain, Tyson, Parker — are playing TODAY, and every snap they take could be shaping the future in Chicago.
Ben Johnson needs weapons. He needs dogs on defense. He needs versatility and edge. These dudes bring it. And who knows? A couple of them might be putting on a navy and orange hat come April.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson gives quarterback Caleb Williams instructions on the sideline during a game against Las Vegas.
The Chicago Bears were down 24-19 with five minutes left. Mistakes and missed opportunities had characterized most of their performance offensively against the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a penalty here, a dropped pass there, and ongoing struggles to run the ball. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. A loss would put the Bears at 1-3 and all but sink their season before it was barely a month old. Head coach Ben Johnson had to give quarterback Caleb Williams as much confidence as possible if they were going to pull off a comeback. So before the ensuing drive, the two got together on the sideline and Johnson said something to him.
“I said, ‘This is what you’re built for‘, and these are the moments that he thrives in the most,” Johnson said. “I think that’s really been the story of his life, to be honest with you and I know he came through for us in a big way.”
It sounds every bit like one of those moments you wait for in a movie. That pivotal moment when the quarterback feels inspired and surges onto the field. It sounds corny, but there’s always been truth. The power of belief is incredibly strong in pro sports. Williams embraced Johnson’s words and led the Bears on a 69-yard march to retake the lead on a D’Andre Swift touchdown. As it turns out, one fan caught the moment on camera. Full credit goes to Bijo Kalladanthyil for the excellent photograph.
Ben Johnson trusted Williams to do the job when it mattered.
He had good reasons to do so. Despite how bad things got last season for Chicago, the quarterback quickly earned a reputation for making things happen in the 4th quarter. He had two comebacks to beat the Rams and Packers as a rookie, and would’ve had two more against the Commanders and Packers if not for the Hail Mary and blocked field goal. One comeback is nothing. Four? That is a trend. Ben Johnson knew Williams had that certain mentality to execute in pressure situations. All he had to do was give the quarterback a little nudge. Williams admitted the words helped him focus on the moment. He went to the huddle, told his guys this was it, and started the drive.
Four minutes later, they were in the end zone. The Raiders’ ensuing field goal attempt to win the game was blocked. For the first time, the Bears had won a game they almost always lose. It was all because of Johnson and Williams.
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Few people know more about the pitfalls of coaching the Chicago Bears than Matt Forte. He spent seven years with the team from 2008 through 2015. In that time, he had three head coaches: Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman, and John Fox. Since retiring, he’s watched Matt Nagy and Matt Eberflus come and go as well. It didn’t take the former Pro Bowl running back long to recognize what separated Ben Johnson from all of them. No, it wasn’t his play-calling prowess, his intelligence, or his mannerisms.
It was much simpler than that. He explained to Ryan Heckman of Fansided.
“I think what’s been most impressive is, for one, his confidence. He’s got confidence in himself and his ability to call plays and coach. And that’s something that we’ve been missing…
…I think there’s been a sense of false confidence in the past years, where it’s like, ‘oh, we’re good.’ And everything gets swept under the rug without being genuine about it,” Forte admitted. “That’s the worst thing you can do as a team is have self-deception, and to really think you’re something that you’re not.”
As usual, Forte demonstrates his wisdom by assessing the situation as well as anyone else could. Anybody with common sense could tell that previous Bears head coaches never came across as fully in control. That is to say, they talked a big game, but you could tell from how they operated that they felt out of their depth. It was especially true of Trestman and Eberflus. Even Nagy and Fox sometimes looked overwhelmed by the massive scope of coaching a big-city team like Chicago.
Ben Johnson had the advantage of experience on his side.
When he took the Bears job, he already had a good feel for what fans of this city would be like. After all, he developed a huge love for the Cubs over the years, often visiting Wrigley Field during his off time. That gave him a taste of what he could expect from Chicago if he were to take over their most cherished team. This is not a job for the faint of heart. He needed to not only demonstrate his command and self-confidence, but also genuinely believe in it. Fans aren’t the only ones who can smell weakness. Players do too.
After all, Johnson had seen such things happen before with Joe Philbin and Adam Gase in Miami, then Matt Patricia in Detroit. All three had earned their opportunities at the head job. Unfortunately, none of the three were prepared for the challenge they faced. Johnson knew what he was getting into with the Bears
Two words still live in the nightmares of Chicago Bears fans seven years later: Double Doink. It was the sound made when what would’ve been a game-winning field goal attempt by Cody Parkey clanged off the uprights twice before bouncing out. The miss cost the team a wild card playoff victory against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Many believe it also cost them what would’ve been a Super Bowl run. That is how well the Bears were playing. After that moment, the team seemed to slowly circle the drain while the Eagles enhanced their status as one of the best in football. People were shocked. One person who wasn’t? Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.
He didn’t speak much about that game afterward, choosing to embrace the victory and move on. Nobody knew that he had a story nobody would’ve believed. He finally shared it on Pardon My Take. It turns out Pederson’s special teams coordinator came to him with some intel before the game. Parkey was one of the more accurate kickers in the league. However, his hit rate on field goals was cut in half when opposing teams iced him. That is calling a timeout before a kick.
Sure enough, on that fateful night in front of 60,000 fans, Pederson spent his last timeout to ice Parkey. The scouting report proved dead on.
Doug Pederson found out a little nugget about Cody Parkey that lead to the double DOINK pic.twitter.com/ikfw0nWNUV
It also highlighted how poorly Matt Nagy and his staff did with self-scouting. One would think they would’ve picked up on such an enormous flaw in Parkey’s kicking. Never mind the fact he’d already missed seven kicks by the end of the regular season. There was an easy case to be made that he should’ve been cut in favor of somebody else. Yet the Bears stayed the course, and Doug Pederson made them pay the price. Nagy probably still loses sleep at night over that game. Parkey didn’t last much longer in the NFL. He had brief stints in Tennessee, New Orleans, and Cleveland before disappearing in 2022. The 33-year-old hasn’t seen a football field of any kind since. That shows you how rapidly a career can end when teams sense you’re mentally weak.
Jul 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) throws the ball against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs have officially announced their Game 1 starter for the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd, who started in Tuesday’s Wild Card series opener against the San Diego Padres, has been named as Chicago’s Game 1 starter against Milwaukee.
Boyd is going on short rest, but he wasn’t overly taxed in his 4.1 innings of work against the Padres. The lefty gave up one run on four hits and a walk before he was taken out in the fifth inning with 58 pitches under his belt. Craig Counsell had Boyd warming up in the ninth inning as Brad Keller was laboring, trying to protect a 3-1 lead after giving up a leadoff home run. Ultimately, Counsell went to Andrew Kittredge to get the final two outs, sending the Cubs to the NLDS.
Cubs announce that Matthew Boyd will start G1 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Boyd will go on short rest after throwing 58 pitches Tuesday. He warmed in the pen yesterday, which worked as a side session. He threw during the workout today and must have come out feeling good to go
Meanwhile, the Brewers will counter with right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta in Game 1 against the Cubs.
Boyd started two times against the Brewers in the regular season.
Matthew Boyd vs. Brewers in 2025 7/28: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 2 K 8/19: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 K
He wasn’t exactly sharp in either start, struggling with walks that led to relatively early exits for Boyd in each start. The Cubs went 1-1 on those two games that Boyd started against the Brewers.
As for Peralta, he started four times against the Cubs this year and although he did have a couple great outings the Cubs were able to jump on him more than ever before.
Freddy Peralta vs. Cubs in 2025 5/4: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K 6/19: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 6 K 7/30: 4 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 3 K 8/18: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
These Cubs are very familiar with Peralta, who will throw a lot of pitches, can get wild, but will also miss a lot of bats with his nasty repertoire.
A few matchups to keep an eye on for the Cubs. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a three-hit performance on Thursday, is 5-for-11, with a home run and double against Peralta. Kyle Tucker was 3-for-8 in the last two games against the Padres has also fared well against Peralta throughout his career, going 5-for-11, with four walks.
Sep 9, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton (22) walks to the dugout after pitching against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Well, maybe we were being way too optimistic when thinking about the possibility of rookie Cade Horton returning in time to pitch in the NLDS for the Chicago Cubs. Horton was ill leading up to his final regular season start against the New York Mets and while sick the right-handed pitcher had an ongoing cough that eventually resulted in Horton suffering a rib fracture.
Horton was placed on the 15-day injured list and theoretically the Cubs could have activated in time to pitch in a must-win Game 5 in the NLDS. However, on Friday Cubs manager Craig Counsell delivered a devastating update. Not only is Horton out of the picture for the Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers, it also sounds like Horton may not be a factor whatsoever if the Cubs advance deeper in the postseason.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said rookie pitcher Cade Horton would not be a factor at all in the NLDS as he recovers from a rib injury.
Horton is currently on the IL and his status for later in the playoffs (if Cubs advance, of course) is also in question right now.
So, the Cubs were probably always going to use Javier Assad in the NLDS, but Horton’s status pretty much confirms it. Assad missed most of the regular season because of an oblique injury and subsequent setback, but when he returned the righty once again delivered solid innings for the Cubs. He pitched in eight games and made seven starts. In 37 innings of work Assad posted a 3.65 ERA with 23 strikeouts.
The Cubs are obviously missing a big arm this series, but so are the Brewers. Brandon Woodruff won’t be available for Milwaukee as the veteran starter went down with a lat injury late in September.
As of now, the Brewers have not ruled out a return from Woodruff if they advance beyond the NLDS over the Cubs.
Brandon Woodruff is out for this series with a lat injury, says Murph.
But the Brewers are not ruling him out for potential NLCS or World Series.
Game 1 between the Cubs and Brewers is scheduled for 1:08 pm in Milwaukee on Saturday.
(Previous Update)
Well, the pessimistic side of being a Cubs fan tells me it’s over before the playoffs even started. Cade Horton, who has been the best starting pitcher in baseball since the All-Star break and was the presumable Game 1 starter for the Wild Card series, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a rib fracture.
The IL stint has been retroactively pushed back to Sept. 25, which means if you want to remain optimistic, Horton will be able to return for Game 5 of the NLDS if the Cubs move on from the opening round series against the San Diego Padres. And well more importantly that’s if Horton has recovered from the injury.
So, looks like it’s going to be Matthew Boyd, Shōta Imanaga and if needed Jameson Taillon in the Wild Card series next week. The Cubs still need one more win against the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend or a Padres’ loss to clinch home field for the Wild Card round.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs are getting closer to clinching home field advantage for their Wild Card series that will be against the San Diego Padres, but fans are holding their breath, waiting to see the results from Cade Horton’s MRI results.
The 24-year-old starter has had an amazing rookie season for the Cubs and thanks to his second-half success Horton was lining up to be the team’s Game 1 starter in the postseason. He made Tuesday’s start against the New York Mets, but was pulled after only three innings. The Cubs eventually revealed that Horton was removed as a precautionary measure because of tightness in his back.
After the Cubs blew a 6-1 lead and lost the series opener 9-7, Craig Counsell said Horton had been ill leading up to Tuesday’s start. The initial hope was that Horton’s back issue was related to the illness.
#Cubs Craig Counsell says Cade Horton has been battling an illness this week. They believe the tightness in his back is related to that but not totally sure. They’ll monitor him in coming days.
Horton hasn’t simply been the best starting pitcher for the Cubs during the past few months, the rookie right-hander has been the best starting pitcher in MLB since July. Following the worst start to his young career, a four-inning outing against the Houston Astros on June 28, when he gave up seven earned runs, Horton has recorded a 1.36 ERA in his last 14 starts.
The numbers become historic following the All-Star break as Horton posted a 1.03 ERA in 12 starts. The Cubs’ rookie has not allowed more than two earned runs since July 9.
Losing Horton, even if it is only for the Wild Card series, would be a major blow to the team’s chances advancing past the Padres. Is it the end of the world for the Cubs? Certainly not, but there’s no denying that the team is better when Horton is on the mound.
At this point I think the best-case scenario is that Horton isn’t sidelined, but needs a few extra days to recover, so if needed, he’ll pitch Game 3 in the Wild Card series. We’ll find out soon here what those MRI results revealed.
Sep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The situation was as clear as day. Las Vegas held a 24-19 lead with five minutes to play in the 4th quarter. The upcoming drive for the Chicago Bears might be their last realistic chance to pull out a victory. They were tired defensively and had struggled to stop the run all day. Giving the ball back to the Raiders with no points would spell doom. Caleb Williams spoke with head coach Ben Johnson before the drive, who told him that these situations were what he’s built for. Go win the game. Williams calmly stepped into the huddle, gave his guys some encouragement, and started the drive.
Eleven plays later, D'Andre Swift sliced into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown. Josh Blackwell blocked Las Vegas’ ensuing game-winning field goal attempt to preserve the 25-24 victory. It wasn’t pretty, but the Bears had found a way. Williams was asked after the game how he was able to pull off such a difficult drive, given how the offense had played most of the afternoon. The quarterback admitted that it went back to something Johnson had taught him months ago, which probably felt somewhat irrelevant at the time.
“I think the biggest growth is being able to keep my composure for the guys most importantly,” Williams said. “It’s not just the other 10 guys on the field, it’s the whole team. I think there were moments in the [Raiders] game where I got frustrated, and the growth in that standpoint of not having — whether bad body language or not saying anything or raising my temper maybe too much … those are moments that can change momentum. The guys look at me and they’re like, ‘Okay, he’s composed.'”
This was something Johnson addressed when the two first got together.
He went through game film from last year and highlighted several moments where Williams had questionable body language or reactions. While he could understand the emotional turmoil of those moments, Johnson cautioned that they were often a sign of weakness. Getting that under control would be a huge first step in getting everybody to believe in what they’re doing. Williams saw those words play out in real time on Sunday.
Caleb Williams showed that maturity in the final moments of the game.
Cameras caught him on the sideline watching the Raiders’ field goal attempt. He wasn’t standing and directing traffic like he was against Washington before the Hail Mary or had his head down in despair. Caleb Williams was calmly watching from the bench, understanding that even if Las Vegas hit the kick, he’d still have some time left on the clock with a couple of timeouts. He had to maintain an air of calm. Thankfully, it didn’t matter. The kick was blocked. Williams stood up, raised his arms, and received a big hug from, of all people, D.J. Moore.
One can understand if the quarterback rolled his eyes when Johnson brought up body language all those months ago. How is that pertinent to the success of the team on the field? The head coach, though, understood basic football psychology. Perception is reality. If players perceive that a teammate is something, that is the truth in their minds. So even if Williams might not actually be composed in certain moments, teammates will think he is. That will get them to act the same way. Many all-time greats, including Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Tom Brady, have mastered this art.
After seeing it work for the first time, it appears Williams is ready to follow suit.
