Takeaway 1: Caleb Williams is definitely not fools' gold, even if the 2024 Bears might be
Quarters 1-3 were not pretty. In fact, they were downright ugly. For much of the game, it did not look like the Bears had a believable path to scoring any points. However, in the fourth quarter, something clicked.
Whether it was his nerves settling down, a spark by Swift that got everyone back into the game, Caleb Williams came alive in the fourth quarter and nearly helped the Bears escape Washington with a victory when nearly all hope was lost.
Before the hail mary, there were many parallels to be drawn between this Bears-Commanders game and one from two years ago. Two years ago, the Bears played Washington on Thursday Night Football and were down 12-7 when Justin Fields got the ball back with a chance to drive the team down for a game-winning score.
However, fate wasn't in the Bears favor as a late goal-line stand would stiff the Bears attempt at a walk-off victory and inch them closer to what would become the single most valuable trade chip in their franchise history.
Now, down 12-7 again to the Commanders in the fourth quarter, Caleb Williams orchestrated not one but two go-ahead touchdown drives, successfully giving the Bears the lead in what should have been a signature moment in his rookie season. Unfortunately, one scoring drive was erased due to a coaching gaffe resulting in a backup lineman carrying the ball. The other was nullified in the history books due to another coaching gaffe that allowed the walk-off Hail Mary.
There's plenty to dissect about how the Bears, with the better roster, healthier quarterback, and off a bye week, fell completely flat, but at least for once the dissection won't include any concern around the quarterback and his prospects going forward.