Brian Urlacher is a Chicago Bears legend. If you've been to Chicago in the last 20+ years, chances are you've seen his jersey. #54 is iconic, and the Bears haven't issued it to any player since Urlacher retired following the 2012 season. The number can still regularly be found both as decoration and fashion among Chicago football fans.
Urlacher is not typically one to make comments he doesn't mean, and his remarks are something Bears fans should take as confirmation. He knows a thing or two about longevity in the NFL, and having played for the same franchise for his entire 13-season career, he knows the Bears. When Urlacher speaks on the Bears, it's worth listening closely.
"“I liked him (Caleb Williams) since day 1. He didn’t need to win me over. He believes in himself, says all the right things, and Ben’s obviously changed his trajectory in the right direction. The more time he spends with Ben, the better he’ll get.”"Brian Urlacher
A Hall of Famer’s Endorsement
Urlacher's comments on Williams aren't just empty optimism. Their recognition of a quarterback being placed into a structure that finally makes sense, something the Bears have struggled to provide for decades. Williams' raw talent is evident to most who watch him play, but that doesn't stop many critics from questioning his consistency and decision-making.
The former linebacker goes on to speak positively of Ben Johnson and the current state of the Bears, even mentioning the running duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
"“I like how physical they are offensively. They run the football, man. It starts up front. If you can run the football and stop the run on defense, you’re probably going to be successful, and they’ve done that. Those two running backs are beasts. They get downhill, and when they hit the line of scrimmage, they’re already fast.”"Brian Urlacher
While his comments were positive, Urlacher's underlying message is one of cohesion. The quarterback is the avatar of the playcaller, and cooperation is essential for long-term success if they're going to find success over time.
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That alignment is what gives everything else a chance to work, from the run game to the protection up front. It is not a guarantee of the results, but it's a baseline the Bears have rarely established. For the first time in a long while, it feels intentional.