Caleb Williams Owns Costly INT vs. Packers - and Bears Fans Should Like What They Heard
There’s no sugarcoating it: Caleb Williams made the kind of mistake that sticks with a fanbase. Down late against the Packers in Week 14, with a chance to steal a win at Lambeau, the Bears' rookie quarterback threw a game-sealing interception in the end zone - a gut punch that ended any hopes of a dramatic comeback.
The throw itself wasn’t a complete meltdown. It was a tough moment, and Williams was rolling left with limited options.
He tried to hit tight end Cole Kmet in the end zone - a reasonable decision, but the execution wasn’t there. The ball sailed just enough to let Green Bay’s defense capitalize.
No miracle finish. No Chicago celebration.
Just another chapter in the long, bitter rivalry.
But what’s just as important as the throw is what came after it. And that’s where Williams gave Bears fans something to be optimistic about.
Williams’ Response Shows Maturity Beyond His Years
Meeting with reporters at Halas Hall as the Bears turned the page to Week 15 and a matchup with the Browns, Williams didn’t flinch when asked about the interception. He didn’t deflect.
He didn’t point fingers. He took it head-on.
“There’s not another moment, another player, another situation… In those moments, I feel like the ball should be in my hand,” Williams said. “That’s how I felt as a kid, that’s how I still feel today, that’s how I felt on Sunday in that moment.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your franchise quarterback. Not just owning the mistake, but embracing the responsibility that comes with the position. Williams didn’t shy away from the spotlight - he acknowledged the risk, the failure, and the desire to be the guy who takes that shot again.
He even referenced a quote famously attributed to Michael Jordan - a Chicago legend whose career was defined by both greatness and the willingness to fail in pursuit of it.
“You’re going to take those shots,” Williams said. “And that’s the type of mindset I have - that I’ll take those shots, and I’ll roll with the punches if I do miss. That’s what happened.”
He added: “You move on from it, and when that moment comes up again, I think nine times out of 10 that I’ll hit. That’s my mentality.
That’s how I feel about it. Just got to give Cole a better ball in that moment, but other than that, roll with the punches if it doesn’t roll your way.”
The Talent Is There - So Is the Accountability
Let’s be clear: Williams isn’t a finished product. He’s still developing as a passer, still learning how to navigate NFL defenses, and still adjusting to the speed of the pro game. The interception against Green Bay was a reminder that even the most gifted young quarterbacks are going to take their lumps.
But what separates the good from the great in this league isn’t just arm talent or athleticism - it’s how a quarterback responds when things go wrong. Williams didn’t sulk.
He didn’t get defensive. He faced the music and showed a level of maturity that should resonate with the Bears’ locker room and fan base alike.
It’s been a long time since Chicago had a quarterback who could combine raw ability with this kind of leadership. Williams isn’t perfect, but he’s showing signs of being the kind of player you can build around - someone who wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line, and who’s willing to take the heat when it doesn’t go his way.
Looking Ahead
The Bears are still very much in the thick of a transition. The offense is evolving, the coaching staff is learning what it has in its rookie QB, and the team as a whole is trying to find its identity.
But moments like this - even in a loss - matter. They reveal character.
They show whether a young quarterback is wired the right way.
Caleb Williams made a costly mistake against the Packers. But he also showed the kind of resolve and mindset that could pay dividends down the road. For a franchise that’s been searching for a true leader under center for decades, that’s not nothing.
And if you’re a Bears fan, that should be music to your ears.