Caleb Williams takes playful jab at JJ McCarthy with pregame fit

Just a few days ago, an old photo resurfaced of Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy wearing a Brian Urlacher jersey when he was a kid. It was quite the timing for that type of picture to go viral, obviously, as the Chicago Bears took on the Vikings to conclude Week 1 of the 2025 season.

McCarthy reportedly grew up a Bears fan, so there's even more significance behind the 2024 first-round pick's first NFL start.

And, in what some might interpret as a jab, in one form or another, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams showed up to Soldier Field on Monday night wearing none other than a Brian Urlacher jersey.

Notice this jersey is also one of those classic Reebok styles from 20-plus years ago when the brand had the rights to NFL apparel.

JJ McCarthy and Caleb Williams could be starting a budding rivalry in spectacular fashion

While McCarthy had to wait a year for his first start after rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in the preseason as a rookie, Williams is also making his version of a first start. It'll be his first start under new head coach Ben Johnson, who is exactly the type of coach Williams has long-needed.

If McCarthy and Williams wind up panning out to their full potential, this rivalry could end up being the best quarterback matchup in the NFC North. It won't be that of Jordan Love or even one including Jared Goff, the older veteran.

No, it's going to be McCarthy and Williams. These two are perfect examples of being exactly what their respective franchises needed and hopefully at the right time.

Now, we'll have to hear from Williams on the outfit choice, specifically, and what his aim was with that. Was it truly a friendly jab, a message sent or was it just one more weird quirk to help him get locked in and show off his one-of-a-kind personality?

For fans who watched that Super Bowl XLI team featuring Urlacher in his prime, it was as good of a choice as any, regardless of the McCarthy factor.