Theoretically, Williams doesn’t yet need to be the reason they win, and he certainly wasn’t Sunday.
Even with enormous expectations of quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears hoped to bring him along gradually and make sure they didn’t ask too much of him too soon.
Theoretically, Williams doesn’t yet need to be the reason they win, and he definitely wasn’t Sunday as they wrested momentum from the Titans late and escaped with a 24-17 victory to open the season. The Bears’ only touchdowns came on defense and special teams, and their three scoring drives — all Cairo Santos field goals — averaged 24 yards.
Williams, meanwhile, completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards and a 55.7 passer rating. His longest play was a 13-yard pass to DJ Moore late in the first half.
“Don’t care about stats,” Williams said. “I feel great. We’re going to enjoy this win. Going to dinner with my family, hang out with them.
“From there, get back into it and get ready to go. We’re going to be better next week.”
The sense that Williams is assuredly on his way up, and the fact that the Bears won, made this far more tolerable than similar games last season. They didn’t win many of Justin Fields’ starts, and it was hard to believe he was climbing toward greatness.
