Caleb Williams has become the first Chicago Bears quarterback to throw for multiple touchdowns of 35 yards or more in a single game. The last time this happened for anyone was for Lamar Jackson in 2023, during a Week 17 blowout win against the Miami Dolphins.
Williams may have led his team to a loss, but with a playoff berth already in Chicago's clutches, this game wasn't the most important in the world. A first-seed bye would have been nice, but for a team that has fought against the Bears' reputation of late, getting to the playoffs is a feat in itself.
Context Matters in Chicago
The Bears have endured a long stretch of inconsistent quarterback play, with most quarterbacks not making it past their original contracts. Flashes of cohesion made their way to the surface, but never culminated in any significant success. Rex Grossman led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI after a very successful 2006 season, but fell short at the hands of Payton Manning and the Colts.
This time feels different. General manager Ryan Poles selected Ben Johnson as the next head coach, and his impact was felt immediately. The culture surrounding the Bears shifted in one of the best ways possible. Williams and the rest of the team are confident, and Bears Fans are more excited than they've been in years.
Long touchdowns aren't accidents. They require timing, protection, play design, and confidence to develop, not to mention the skill and ability to do it. What Williams accomplished isn't to be taken lightly. Instead, it should be taken as a beacon indicating the growth he represents for himself, this team, and this city. Johnson and Williams are putting together the foundation of a winning team, and longevity is a clear goal.
None of this guarantees anything, and Bears fans have earned a healthy skepticism. Being a Chicago sports fan means being a foul-weather fan. Plays like these matter because they're difficult, intentional, and repeatable.
They reflect trust in the quarterback, trust in the system, and confidence to push the ball downfield rather than fall victim to three-and-outs. For a franchise that's long been defined by caution at the position, that shift is meaningful. The throws themselves are the point.
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And for once, they suggest progress that feels rooted in execution rather than hope.