Packers’ Offseason Focus? Finishing Games - Thanks in Large Part to Caleb Williams
The Green Bay Packers had the Chicago Bears right where they wanted them. Twice.
First, a 16-6 lead in the second half. Then, a commanding 21-3 advantage in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Both times, it looked like Green Bay was ready to slam the door shut on their oldest rival. And both times, the door stayed wide open - just long enough for Caleb Williams and the Bears to storm through it.
Now, as the Packers head into a critical offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t mincing words about what needs to change.
“Finishing games,” Gutekunst said, when asked what the team is prioritizing this offseason.
And when pressed on how he’s processed the Packers’ playoff collapse?
“Not well,” he admitted.
It’s a candid response, and it speaks volumes. Because while the Packers had their moments in 2025, it’s the way the season ended - twice at the hands of the Bears - that’s shaping everything about their approach going forward.
Caleb Williams: Clutch Gene Fully Activated
Let’s talk about the guy who flipped both of those games on their heads.
In both comeback wins over Green Bay - one in the regular season and one in the postseason - Caleb Williams showed exactly why the Bears bet big on him. When the lights were the brightest and the stakes were the highest, he delivered.
The playoff performance was the stuff of legends. Down 21-3 in the second half, Williams led the Bears to three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including two through the air. He racked up 184 passing yards in that final quarter alone - the most by any quarterback in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Tom Brady’s iconic Super Bowl LI comeback.
That’s not just clutch. That’s historic.
And it wasn’t a one-off. In the regular season matchup, Williams once again took over late. The Bears scored on all four of their drives from the fourth quarter through overtime, and Williams was the catalyst - cool under pressure, decisive, and electric.
Over the course of the season, the numbers tell the story: Williams threw for more yards (1,096), more touchdowns (nine), and more first downs (51) in the fourth quarter than in any other period. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a quarterback who thrives when the game is on the line.
Why the Packers Are Recalibrating
So when Gutekunst says the focus is on “finishing games,” it’s not hard to connect the dots. The Packers didn’t just lose games - they lost games they had in hand. And they lost them to a quarterback who made a habit of closing strong.
There’s no doubt that the Packers have talent. Jordan Love showed flashes.
The defense had stretches of dominance. But when it came to the fourth quarter - especially against the Bears - they couldn’t seal the deal.
That’s the kind of thing that keeps general managers up at night.
Is it fair to say Caleb Williams is the reason the Packers are rethinking their late-game approach? Absolutely. When a rookie quarterback torches your defense twice in the span of a few weeks - and does it with the game on the line - it forces some soul-searching.
And that’s exactly where Green Bay is right now.
What Comes Next
For the Packers, this offseason isn’t about rebuilding - it’s about recalibrating. They’ve got the pieces to compete, but if they’re going to take the next step, they have to learn how to close.
Because in today’s NFL, games are won - and lost - in the final 15 minutes. And if you’re facing a quarterback like Caleb Williams, those 15 minutes can feel like an eternity if you’re not ready.
Green Bay wasn’t ready. Twice.
Now, they’re trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.