Williams Impressed by Passing Game in Bears’ Loss, Plans to ‘Keep Slinging’

In Indianapolis, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams expressed surprise at his passing statistics following Chicago’s 21-16 loss to the Colts. Upon learning he had thrown the ball 52 times, Williams exclaimed, “I threw the ball 52 times? Jeez.”

Setting a Bears single-game rookie passing record, Williams completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, achieving an 80.8 passer rating. This was a noticeable jump from his combined 267 passing yards in the first two games of the season.

Despite facing a Colts defense that had previously allowed an average of 237 rushing yards per game, the Bears struggled to establish their ground game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Chicago managed only 63 rushing yards on 28 attempts, averaging a mere 2.3 yards per carry. They also recorded just four rushing first downs throughout the match.

The difficulties of the Bears’ rushing attack were particularly evident during a crucial series at the end of the first half. Trailing 7-0 and needing to score, Chicago initiated a 16-play, 53-yard drive that featured five consecutive running plays from the Colts’ 4-yard line. However, they were unable to convert, and on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Williams faced immediate pressure after the Colts presented an unexpected defensive alignment.

As he rolled out to his left, Williams attempted a pitch to running back D’Andre Swift, who was quickly tackled by defensive end Tyquan Lewis, resulting in a 12-yard loss. Reflecting on this moment, Williams remarked, “It is frustrating. We were that close. And so not to get in, in those moments, definitely is frustrating.” He also acknowledged the length of the drive, mentioning it showcased the team’s capability to move the ball effectively.

Fellow player Cole Kmet emphasized the importance of a stronger attitude in short-yardage situations. “I think it’s just that mindset, that mindset shift,” Kmet stated. “We got to have that attitude of we’re going to finish these guys off. Whatever type of run Shane calls, it shouldn’t matter.” Kmet believes the team should be able to gain the necessary yards to score when positioned so close to the end zone.

Williams celebrated his first NFL passing touchdown in the fourth quarter, connecting with rookie Rome Odunze for a 1-yard reception, followed by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kmet on the next drive. Despite these accomplishments, both touchdowns came while the Bears were trailing by two scores.

Williams expressed optimism regarding the team’s offensive progress, asserting that their identity is “brewing” and is closer to development than it was after their initial games of the season. He stated, “I do whatever the team needs. So, if it’s 50 times, it’s 50 times.” He acknowledged the need to minimize turnovers in order to maximize offensive efficiency.

Although Williams threw the ball frequently, the Bears offense continues to face challenges in creating explosive plays. Notably, over half of Williams’ completions were short passes, with 18 of his 33 completions thrown five yards or less. Conversely, he struggled with deeper passes, completing just 4 of 14 attempts for 137 yards and an interception on throws of 15 yards or more.

Williams has also dealt with accuracy issues, finishing the game with 11 off-target throws. In total, he has recorded 29 off-target passes across three games, which follows a pattern from the first two games where he averaged nine off-target throws per game.

DJ Moore, who caught eight passes for 78 yards, echoed the need for the team to solidify its identity quickly to find success. “Whatever gets us a win,” Moore noted, highlighting the critical role of the offense in supporting the defense and special teams. “We’ve got to figure out our identity – like, now – for the sake of them.”