If there were any doubts about the growing tension between Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, their post-game exchanges after the loss in Detroit made it clear. The Bears’ brutal six-game losing streak continued, with a heart-wrenching end in which they failed to use their final timeout in the last 30 seconds, squandering a chance to win. Williams spent 20 seconds trying to get the offense set up after a sack on 2nd down, forcing him to attempt a deep pass to Rome Odunze that fell incomplete, sealing the loss.
Eberflus was asked about the decision not to use the timeout, and instead of offering a clear explanation, he criticized Williams for not getting the offense in position faster. This, despite the fact that Williams had thrown three touchdowns in the second half and orchestrated a drive from his own 1-yard line to put the team in that position. Williams wasn’t going to take the blame for the coach’s mistake.
When asked about the clock management and refusal to call a timeout, Williams explained that he spent 20 seconds waiting for the play call to come in. By the time he got the offense lined up, there were just 13 seconds left, forcing him to change the call to a deep shot. In his mind, the decision to call the timeout was not his to make.
“In that situation, I’m living with the call and I let the coaches and everybody make that decision depending on whether it’s time, depending on whether it’s the guys running back and they’re far down the field. Whatever that situation is, that’s going to be Coach’s call,” Williams stated. “Maybe in the later years of my career, but right now, I get the call, I’m trying to lead the guys to win and I’m trying to get everybody lined up and from there I’m trying to make a play for the Chicago Bears.”
Williams has been a model of accountability throughout the season, owning up to his mistakes. But after leading the Bears to four 4th-quarter comebacks this season—against Washington, Green Bay, Minnesota, and nearly Detroit—he’s done covering for the coach’s failures. Each time, Eberflus’ poor decisions or miscalculations led to a loss. Williams made it clear: he’s not shouldering the blame for Eberflus’ missteps any longer.
While Williams isn’t calling for Eberflus to be fired—understandably, that’s not his decision—he is standing up for himself when unfairly criticized. Without Williams, it’s hard to imagine the Bears’ last six games not being blowouts. His ability to rally the team in critical moments has become a trend, but sadly, so has Eberflus’ ability to squander it in creative new ways.
