Caleb Williams shines in NFL debut as Bears rally to beat Titans

In a thrilling matchup at Soldier Field, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams made his debut as the starting signal-caller for the Chicago Bears, leading them to a 24-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans. As he exited the tunnel, the buzz from the crowd was palpable, and he responded with his signature bear claw gesture, showcasing his connection with the fans.

His win marked a significant milestone, making Williams the first quarterback since David Carr in 2002 to win his first start after being drafted as the top pick. However, Williams wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance. Despite securing the win, his statistics told a different story: he completed 14 of 29 throws for a mere 93 yards, without scoring a touchdown or throwing an interception. Additionally, he fumbled once and was sacked twice during the game.

“We want to be the most efficient team out there, myself included,” Williams shared regarding his performance. “I didn’t perform the way that I wanted to. I missed a few passes that I normally don’t miss. It’s great to get this first win, though. We’re all excited. I enjoyed watching my teammates celebrate, but I understand that I need to be better, and I will be better.”

The first half was challenging for the Bears, who were almost shut out until Cairo Santos kicked a 24-yard field goal, bringing the score to 17-3 in favor of the Titans. Santos later added two more field goals from 50 and 48 yards as the Bears’ special teams play began to shift the momentum.

With just over three minutes left in the third quarter, the Bears found life when defensive player Daniel Hardy blocked a Titans punt, which was recovered by safety Jonathan Owens. Owens sprinted 21 yards into the end zone, narrowing the Titans’ lead to 17-10.

“I didn’t know who blocked it,” Owens explained. “I heard the commotion and just reacted. It felt surreal to score; it was an unbelievable moment.”

Defensively, the Bears, who had been lauded for their strong run defense in 2023, struggled early on as the Titans ran for 115 yards in the first half. However, a pivotal adjustment at halftime allowed the Bears to clamp down defensively, limiting the Titans to just 25 yards on 10 runs in the second half.

Following a crucial takeaway that set up Santos’ third field goal, the Bears pushed for more. Facing a critical third-and-6 from the Titans’ 45-yard line, Bears coach Matt Eberflus called for a blitz. This aggressive strategy resulted in an impactful play: as Titans quarterback Will Levis was pressured, he attempted to throw the ball away but ended up throwing a pick-six to cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, allowing the Bears to take their first lead of the day.

The Bears added a two-point conversion shortly after when Williams connected with running back D’Andre Swift, making the score 24-17.

“We always want to be the spark of the team,” said Stevenson. “Caleb had his ups and downs, but we’re here to support him. He got us rolling when we needed it.”

This game became notable for more than just the rookie quarterback’s debut; it represented the first time in NFL history that a team trailed by at least 17 points while finishing with fewer than 150 total yards and still secured a victory.

Williams faced various challenges throughout the game, struggling against the Titans’ defense. He was 0-for-6 when pressured, 2-for-8 against the blitz, and only managed 40 yards on throws beyond five yards in the air. Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons reflected on his team’s performance, stating, “We didn’t play spectacularly. We need to focus on creating opportunities.”

After the game, Williams compared his frustrations to a previous loss he experienced during his college career at USC. However, he was optimistic about leaning on the Bears’ defense and special teams to build momentum for the remainder of the season.

“It was a frustrating game,” he admitted. “But it showcased our resilience as a team. Everyone believes in each other, and that’s what matters most—the Chicago Bears spirit is alive and well.”