Losing ‘Really Affects Me,’ Says Bears QB Williams
When the Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, the hope was to emerge from a two-year rebuild and become NFC contenders.
Instead, the Bears have suffered an eight-game losing streak, dropping to 4-10 after a promising start. Unlike rookie quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, whose teams are playoff-bound, Williams is grappling with the challenges of a losing season.
This is uncharted territory for Williams, who played 37 games at Oklahoma and USC. The Bears’ 10 losses in 2024 match the total defeats he experienced across three college seasons.
Managing the emotional toll of losing has been a significant adjustment.
“Losing really affects me,” Williams admitted. “It’s tough, but I understand where I am in my career and where I will be. It’s important to have that perspective because, internally, tough times make you question everything. The hardest battle is within yourself during adversity.”
To cope, Williams creates a list of areas to improve for the offseason, currently numbering “five to eight” items.
“I’m focusing on everything from pre-snap reads to post-snap decisions, like footwork and identifying defensive rotations,” Williams said.
He also uses positive self-talk to counter discouragement.
“This might sound crazy, but I talk to myself,” Williams explained. “I use affirmations like, ‘I am great. I will be great.’ It helps me stay positive during rough patches instead of dragging myself down.”
One of Williams’ main frustrations is his accuracy. He ranks 32nd among 34 qualified QBs, with 21.4% of his throws off-target.
“It’s frustrating,” Williams said. “I hate missing passes, especially ones I’ve consistently made. While I’m seeing progress, missing throws I should hit is tough.”
Additionally, Williams has been sacked a league-high 58 times through 15 weeks. Cameras captured him visibly in pain after multiple hits during a “Monday Night Football” game.
Despite the punishment, Williams denies any mental toll. Interim coach Thomas Brown echoed this sentiment, saying, “Not with him, I don’t.”
