In the aftermath of the Chicago Bears firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, there have been conflicting reports over the status of Caleb Williams as the starting quarterback of the team.
Among the scenarios that were discussed prior to the removal of Waldron from the team's coaching staff was one that had second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent starting in favor of the rookie against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
While Matt Eberflus confirmed that Williams would start against the Packers on Sunday, the Bears' head coach failed to endorse the rookie quarterback as the team's starter for the remainder of the season.
Eberflus said Caleb Williams WILL start on Sunday. The team is not considering a change right now, but Eberflus said the process is "week-to-week".
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) November 13, 2024
That is not exactly a ringing endorsement of the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the weeks leading up to the season, the Bears did everything in their power to prove that Williams was the unquestioned starting quarterback of the team. The only thing that is proving to be an egregious error of general manager Ryan Poles is the fact that he brought back Matt Eberflus for a third season.
With the reality of the situation hitting Eberflus in the fact that he is looking at his third-consecutive losing season as the Bears' head coach, the over-promoted defensive coordinator is in self-preservation mode.
Waldron's firing only added to the growing momentum that Eberflus will be fired at the end of the season. Rather than face the music, Eberflus is now willing to treat the Bears' quarterback position as if it is a week-to-week situation.
This is the worst-case scenario for Williams' development. Williams is working with his second offensive coordinator during the middle of a rookie season with a defensive-minded head coach who is not aware that the primary objective of the season is the development of the rookie quarterback. Given this disaster, it's fair to wonder if Ryan Poles' seat will begin to get hot.