Thou shalt not covet, Bears fans. In other words, when tempted to wonder what might’ve been had Chicago drafted Jayden Daniels in April rather than Caleb Williams, have no fear.
That’s the Tenth Commandment according to former Bears Pro Bowler Kyle Long, himself a former first-round selection.
“Caleb Williams played well yesterday,” said Long, now a CBS analyst on That Other Pregame Show. “Don’t get wandering eyes Bears fans – I know Jayden Daniels is can’t miss TV. I get it. Our guy is damn good too.”
The Bears’ guy led Chicago (2-2) to a 24-18 win over the Rams (1-3) on Sunday, engineering four consecutive scoring drives and dropping a dime into the arms of DJ Moore as the Bears overcame an early 6-0 deficit.
Even those who believe playing him now is best, most rational observers know Williams will take time to develop. But patience seems to wear thin in allowing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron time to develop. The veteran coach has proved instrumental in the success of Jared Goff and Geno Smith. Now in his first year with the Bears, Chicago’s offensive weapons seem to be learning his scheme as much as Waldron is learning his weapons.
But all that came together nicely in the win Sunday.
“I think it’s just us being on the same page,” Williams said after the win, “and it started with the communication throughout the week, us talking about the flow of the game. And when we get in a rhythm, let it go. Things like that.”
One of those things was Chicago’s dormant run game, which awoke to a season-best 131 yards, including a pleasant 93 yards on 16 carries from D’Andre Swift. The much-maligned free agent shot through a gap early in the fourth quarter and sprinted for a 36-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 24-15 advantage. The Bears also got 72 yards on seven catches from Swift, and important contributions from Roschon Johnson (seven carries, 26 yards), including a go-ahead touchdown run.
For Williams, the difference in the offense this week was bench cohesion.
“Come to the sideline a little frustrated,” Williams said. “Take your time, everybody come together, collect all these thoughts and things like that. Come together and communicate from there and get ready to go back out and win the game.”
That they did on Sunday, thanks in part to a defense that produced two takeaways and three sacks. Now, Chicago gets a pair of winnable games at home against Carolina (1-3) and then in London against Jacksonville (0-4).