Caleb Williams, Troy Aikman, and the Monday Night Football Misunderstanding: What Really Happened
Back in Week 6, the Bears edged out the Commanders 25-24 in a Monday Night Football nail-biter. One of the biggest moments of that game came when De’Andre Swift broke free for a 55-yard touchdown off a swing pass-an explosive play that turned the tide and lit up social media.
But it wasn’t just the touchdown that got people talking. It was what happened after the game-and what didn’t happen before it.
Let’s start with the play itself. On the broadcast, ESPN’s Troy Aikman broke it down with his usual sharp eye, noting how the Commanders’ defensive breakdown left Swift wide open.
“That’s why Swift was as open as he is,” Aikman said. “And then you make one guy miss-now with his speed, he’s off to the races.
Just, um, luck on Chicago’s part. It wasn’t really so much intended to be a pick, but it turned into that just based on how it was defended.”
That "luck" comment didn’t sit well with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. After the game, Williams took to social media to clap back, clearly not thrilled with the implication that the play was more fluke than finesse. He also addressed another issue: the lack of a pregame meeting with Aikman.
“I didn’t get to meet with him,” Williams told reporters. “Tried to meet with him.
Reached out and tried to meet, but that didn’t happen. So, moved on from it, went and played the game and came out 3-2.”
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Williams explained that the timing just didn’t work out. Whether it was lifting, meetings, or other obligations, he said he tried to connect and even followed up with a call-but couldn’t get through.
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But according to Joe Buck, who calls Monday Night Football alongside Aikman, that’s not the full story.
Speaking on a podcast this week, Buck shed some light on the behind-the-scenes logistics. According to him, the ESPN crew had tried to meet with Williams not just in Week 6, but back in Week 1 as well, when the Bears played the Vikings.
“That whole thing happened after the Washington game,” Buck said. “We had them Week 1 and we had already been through that. These meetings are all set up on their time.”
Buck emphasized that Zoom meetings are tailored to the players’ schedules. “That’s kind of the beauty of it,” he said.
“We understand you guys are busy. You’re preparing for a game.
The last thing you probably want to do is talk to us. It’s part of the drill.
But we will do it for you on your schedule.”
Despite that flexibility, Buck said the crew ended up waiting on Zoom-twice-and Williams never showed.
“So, we had that same issue Week 1 with Caleb, and then we had it again,” Buck said. “I guess he brought it up saying, ‘Well, I didn’t talk to Troy before the game,’ but we sat on a Zoom forever and he never came. I don’t know what else we can do.”
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What really seemed to bother Buck was the public perception that Aikman had somehow blown off the meeting. “That’s the part that bothered me the most,” Buck said.
“It was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’ This was on your guy’s schedule.
And we sat there and we had it happen twice in the first six weeks.”
At the heart of this situation is a breakdown in communication-and maybe a bit of miscommunication, too. Pregame production meetings between broadcasters and players are a standard part of the NFL media routine.
They help commentators bring fans closer to the game, offering insight into a player’s mindset, preparation, and game plan. When those meetings don’t happen, it can lead to frustration on both sides.
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For Williams, the issue seemed to be about respect and representation. For Aikman and Buck, it was about professionalism and accountability. And for fans, it’s a reminder that the NFL isn’t just about what happens between the lines-it’s also about the stories, personalities, and relationships that shape the game we love.
This wasn’t a case of bad blood-at least not yet. But it was a revealing moment in the always-evolving dynamic between players and media. And as Caleb Williams continues to grow into his role as the face of the Bears franchise, how he navigates those relationships will be just as important as how he reads a blitz or hits a deep out.
Elsewhere in Sports Media and Viewership Trends
While the NBA has been pushing its new in-season tournament hard, the early viewership numbers suggest fans might not be buying in just yet. The semifinals aired on Amazon, and while the matchups had intrigue-Magic-Knicks and Spurs-Thunder-the audience wasn’t massive. The Magic-Knicks game drew 1.3 million viewers, and the Spurs-Thunder game pulled in 2 million.
To put that in perspective, the Boise State-Washington “L.A. Bowl,” a college football game on ABC that ended in a 38-10 blowout, drew 3.8 million viewers. That’s nearly double the audience of the NBA’s most-hyped new initiative.
It’s a clear signal: fans still prioritize traditional football-yes, even lower-tier bowl games-over experimental basketball formats. The NBA has work to do if it wants this tournament to become more than just a novelty.
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The pair were seen together numerous times this offseason and fans are quickly putting the pieces together.
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Streaming Is the Future-and the Super Bowl Could Be Next
In another sign of the shifting media landscape, the Academy Awards will move exclusively to YouTube beginning in 2029. That’s a big move for a legacy event-and it might be a preview of what’s coming for sports.
The NFL has the option to opt out of its current television deal after the 2029 season. If that happens, don’t be surprised if the Super Bowl lands on a streaming platform sooner rather than later. The league has already dipped its toe into streaming partnerships, and with the Oscars making the leap, the writing might be on the wall.
The message is clear: the way we consume sports is changing fast. And the biggest games might not be on cable for much longer.
From on-field drama to off-field media dynamics, it’s been another week that proves sports are about more than just the scoreboard. Whether it’s Caleb Williams’ growing pains, the NBA’s tournament struggles, or the looming shift to streaming, the game is always evolving-and we’ll be here to break it down every step of the way.