Bears’ Struggling Run Game Puts Pressure on Rookie QB Caleb Williams

In the wake of a challenging start to the season, the Chicago Bears are struggling to find their rhythm on offense, particularly with a rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, at the helm.

The team’s rushing performance has plummeted, making it even more difficult for Williams to settle into his role. In their recent match against Indianapolis, the Bears managed just 63 rushing yards on 28 attempts, raising concerns about their offensive output.

Head coach Matt Eberflus attributed some of the struggles to the adjustments the team is making to a new offensive system introduced by Shane Waldron. As a result, Chicago currently ranks 30th in rushing yards after finishing second the previous year.

“I think that’s part of it,” Eberflus commented after Roschon Johnson led the team in rushing with 30 yards. “But I do think that Roschon gets going here, because he did a really good job yesterday in terms of denting the pile forward and doing a good job that way.”

Johnson, who was injured during the preseason and had only just returned to play, appears to be a valuable asset moving forward. D’Andre Swift, who was signed as a free agent for $24 million, contributed a mere 20 yards on 13 carries, leaving him with just 68 yards this season and an average of 1.8 yards per rush.

Eberflus expressed optimism about their running back corps, stating, “I think we have three unique guys that have skill sets that we can really utilize as we get going during the course of this year, and it’s important that we do that.”

However, the team faced a significant setback just before halftime against Indianapolis. Despite being positioned on the 4-yard line, the Bears failed to score a touchdown after a goal-line stand by the Colts. Chicago lost the game 21-16, with attempts to push through thwarted by the defense.

Following three consecutive runs by Khalil Herbert to advance to the 1-yard line, the Bears opted for an option pitch to Swift on fourth down, despite facing a defensive setup that was less than favorable. Williams had the option to change the play at the line of scrimmage but ultimately felt rushed due to time constraints.

“If you don’t like it you can alert something else,” Eberflus stated, reflecting on the situation. “Again, talking to Caleb, he just didn’t feel he had the time to do that. It was running short on time; they broke the huddle at 10 seconds and worked it down and maybe snapped at five. That’s just what it was. We didn’t get that (defensive) look we wanted.”

Unfortunately, the premature decision to run the play resulted in a 12-yard loss, emphasizing the learning curve Williams must navigate as he acclimates to the NFL.

On a brighter note, the Bears’ defense managed to tighten up their passing game by intercepting two passes during the match. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds both came away with interceptions, while Montez Sweat recorded his first sack of the season, showcasing the defense’s potential.

However, the offensive line continues to be a concern. With Nate Davis injured, Matt Pryor stepped in as the right guard, and the Bears surrendered four sacks, leading to Williams being brought down 13 times so far this season.

Tight end Cole Kmet has emerged as a key player for the Bears, registering a team-high 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in this game, significantly increasing his contributions compared to the first two games where he only had five receptions combined.

Conversely, defensive end Daniel Hardy had a less favorable performance, committing a costly offside penalty during a Colts punt which allowed Indianapolis to retain possession and subsequently score a touchdown.

In terms of injuries, there was no new information regarding wide receiver Keenan Allen’s heel issue, which has sidelined him for the last two games. Additionally, cornerback Terell Smith suffered a hip injury during the game against the Colts.

Despite scoring just 16 points, the Bears ran an impressive 84 plays against Indianapolis, marking the highest number of plays in a game since setting a franchise record of 94 plays in 1999.

Reflecting on the match, Kmet expressed frustration, stating, “I think that’s a game where you look at our roster and look at theirs and I’d take ours over theirs any day of the week. So yeah. I mean, it’s not a game I think we should have lost.”

The Bears are set to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, as both teams seek to improve their standing in the league with a chance to bounce back from subpar performances so far this season.

Source: Associated Press