Williams reacts to final two plays against Lions |
CHICAGO—By now, every Chicago Bears fan knows how their Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions ended—with another heartbreaking loss due to horrible game management. The Bears had 32 seconds and a timeout left and only managed to get off one play.
Some question why rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did not use the timeout. He explained he was focused on getting the players on the line to run a play to get in field goal range and was forced to adjust the call because of the time left on the clock. “I can take timeouts. But, in that situation, we had a call. I got the call in and trying to get the guys back. So, focused on (making) sure everybody gets back, gets lined up. I know we don’t have much time left and so, trying to get everybody back. (I) don’t have a microphone to speak to (head) coach (Matt Eberflus). So, there wasn’t any huge communication in that situation,” Williams said. “You get a call with that time. You got to try and get the guys back, get the guys lined up so you (can) go run a play and (we) got lined up, got the play and then I made an adjustment because I saw the clock running down knowing that if we complete a ball in bounds, we won’t have time to kick a field goal. So, I made an adjustment and knew Rome was going to either be one-on-one or he was going to beat the safety and be one-on-one there and tried to give him a shot and we got the shot and (missed).” There was no communication between the head coach and quarterback in such a pivotal moment, which is a problem. Eberflus’ total breakdown in making logical decisions and communicating adequately, as exemplified in that game, led to his firing less than 24 hours after the game ended. Eberflus no longer being in the building will be good for Williams’ development, which is perhaps the biggest bright spot coming out of this season. He is showing an ability to understand situational football and make the right decisions as he did on the second-to-last play of the game. Although that may have been a sack, he was taking care of the football and allowing Chicago to fight another play instead of making a bad play worse. “I was going to run right off the hip of (offensive tackle) Larry (Borom) or the guard and take it for however long that I could run and get down and then from there either clock it with the first down or whatever that situation would have been and then maybe score a touchdown the next one. But if not, kick the field goal. But, the sack pushed us out (of) field goal range and then tried to make a play with that last play,” Williams said. “It got loud at that point and I believe Larry was over there and (he) was late off the snap. I think he just missed (or) misheard the go call and then that’s what happened. Once I quickly realized that (defensive end) Za’Darius (Smith was) coming free, I didn’t want to risk (because) I knew we still had one play. I didn’t want to risk jumping up or trying to throw the ball out of bounds and he knocks it down or a fumble or something. So, took the sack and tried to get everybody (back and) get the last play off and get rolling.” Fans were a little worried about their quarterback of the future on the opening drive of the second half. After gaining nine yards for a first down on a scramble, Williams was tackled at the knees by Lions linebacker Jack Campbell. It seemed unnecessary to tackle him so low, and it looked like a gruesome hit watching it live. Williams said he was fine but was not too pleased with the tackle. “Knee’s fine. That play was funky, let’s put it that way,” Williams said. “I didn’t really appreciate the play. He just kind of dove straight at my knee. So, I didn’t really get that. Definitely kind of frustrated about that one just (because) whatever. But the knee’s good. Nothing wrong with it. I think I just got a bruise, but the play was funky.” When Eberflus was fired, interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was named interim head coach. His first game ever as a head coach will be against the San Francisco 49ers on Sun. Dec. 8 (3:25 p.m. / FOX). Chicago won their last meeting against San Francisco back in 2022; however, that was before Brock Purdy became their quarterback. So, this will be the first time the Bears face Purdy.
