Chase Daniel drills down the hidden details of Caleb WIlliams' brutal INT

Was it really all Caleb's fault...?
Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers - NFL 2025
Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers - NFL 2025 | Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looked like he was making strides toward superstardom at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Then, he didn't get enough mustard on a throw to the Packers' end zone, which resulted in a game-costing interception.

Williams' biggest flaw to date in his second NFL season is his oft-awry accuracy. Whether it be a lack of detail in ball placement, not being on the same page with his receivers, or still adjusting to a Ben Johnson offense that requires throwing with anticipation, the lack of precision is preventing Williams from realizing his implied potential as a No. 1 overall pick.

But was Williams really to blame for the costly giveaway that netted Green Bay a pivotal 28-21 victory to seize the NFC North lead? As is often the case when the "blame the QB' shortcut is presented in real time or for tidy narratives, it's a little more complicated than meets the eye.

Chase Daniel criticizes Caleb Williams for Week 14 INT, but also blames Ben Johnson

One of the preeminent all-22 film gurus in the NFL content space is longtime backup QB Chase Daniel. His breakdown of Williams' interception is as nuanced and insightful as anything you'll find this side of The QB School.

Daniel did acknowledge that Williams didn't put the ball where he should have for Cole Kmet's would-be touchdown catch. He also alluded to the tick-slowness with which Williams often plays. An excellent cornerback like Green Bay's Keisean Nixon will tend to capitalize on that.

Those things can be true, and...Johnson could've dialed up something a little more manageable for Williams to ensure he wasn't off-platform to deliver that decisive pass.

Then there's the DJ Moore of it all. The Bears' wideout was seen after the game rolling his eyes as if to imply he should get the ball. Daniel dismissed that notion with his savvy observation seen above.

For the uninitiated, there's colloquial phraseology to describe routes that receivers run when they aren't expected to get the ball. They're often referred to as "for the love of the game" routes.

Translation: the receiver is expected to run full speed so as not to clutter the picture for the QB. This high effort/hustle ensures that the route distribution is correct and that the proper spacing is achieved for the called passing concept.

Now that George Pickens is thriving in Dallas, I challenge anyone to find a big-name playmaker who absolutely loafs on these routes ***Moore often*** than Moore does.

Moore is a manufactured touch merchant who has no business complaining about a QB operator error until he starts fully striding out on every single down. Plus, he was in the wrong here anyway! You can even see him change his gait and loaf on this exact play!

Back to the play call. I understand Johnson wanting to move the launch point to capitalize on Williams' mobility. He has plenty of torque and arm strength to get enough on that toss to Kmet, even while rolling to his left. Nevertheless, I'm sure Johnson would want that call back. The Bears still had two timeouts to play with. It was fourth-and-one. Johnson loves pounding the rock.

I would've liked to see a designed QB run wrinkle there, but hindsight is 20/20. At least the loss only drops Chicago to 9-4, a mere half-game back of the Packers for the division crown.

For my money, Williams is going to be just fine and use this adversity as a learning experience. It's a microcosm of his career to this point. Not that he hasn't produced in the clutch this season, because he has, but it's more about how Williams is still not quite firing on all cylinders despite the Bears' team success.

Read more: Cole Kmet honestly said what every Bears fan saw after Caleb Williams INT

When Williams does put it all together after, say, the drive that'll come with a likely one-and-done playoff exit and another year in Johnson's system? Look out, rest of the NFL.

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