Caleb Williams apologized to Bears after team made big change
Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears made a significant change after their loss to the New England Patriots last week when they fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and Caleb Williams felt he was partially responsible for the decision.
Williams stood up and front of his Bears teammates this week and apologized for his role in Waldron being fired, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. The rookie quarterback wanted to acknowledge that a change likely would not have been necessary had he played better over the first half of the season.
Glazer says Bears players appreciated the gesture.
“After (Waldron) was fired, the next team meeting, Caleb Williams got up in that team meeting and actually apologized to his teammates for his role in this,” Glazer said. “What I mean by role in this: He didn’t go up there and say, ‘Oh I want this guy out.’ His role was, ‘Obviously, I’m not playing well enough. If the offensive coordinator got fired, there’s issues from me as well.’ … When he did it, a lot of the veterans looked and said, ‘Alright, rookie, this is what we want to see.'”
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The Bears have gone 23 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown. Williams has not thrown a touchdown pass since Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That type of horrible stretch cannot be blamed solely on playcalling, and Williams obviously realizes that.
It is worth noting that there was a report this week claiming there is a difference of opinion within the locker room regarding whether Williams should continue to start. That may have been a factor in why Williams wanted to showcase his leadership skills by holding himself accountable.