Caleb Williams Fires Back with Scoreboard After Ja'Marr Chase Name Mix-Up
Sometimes, the best response is a scoreboard.
That’s exactly how Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams chose to respond after Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase fumbled his name during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Chase appeared to confuse Williams with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, blurting out the name “Caleb Daniels” before doubling down with, “Who’s the quarterback for the Bears?”
Williams didn’t need a mic to clap back. Instead, he let the numbers do the talking-retweeting a photo of the scoreboard from the Bears’ wild 47-42 win over the Bengals last November.
Subtle? Maybe.
Effective? Absolutely.
Let’s rewind to that Week 14 thriller in Cincinnati. The Bengals had a 20-17 lead at halftime and looked poised to pull away.
But Williams, in one of the defining moments of his young NFL career, led the Bears on a furious second-half rally. With under five minutes left in regulation, Chicago surged ahead 40-27.
Joe Flacco answered with a late touchdown to Andrei Iosivas and a go-ahead extra point from Evan McPherson, giving the Bengals a 42-41 edge.
Then came the dagger.
With just 17 seconds remaining, Williams uncorked a 58-yard bomb to tight end Colston Loveland for the game-winning touchdown. It was a signature moment for the rookie quarterback-and one that clearly stuck with him.
The win helped propel the Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff berth. Though their postseason run ended at the hands of the Rams in the divisional round, the season marked a major step forward for both Williams and a franchise that had been searching for answers under center for years.
The Bengals, meanwhile, saw their 2025 season derailed by injuries-most notably to Joe Burrow. They finished third in the AFC North with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs entirely.
Williams’ Second-Year Surge
Williams’ rookie season was a mixed bag. Drafted first overall in 2024, he entered a turbulent situation in Chicago.
Under then-head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears stumbled to a 5-12 finish, and Williams-while flashing his talent-struggled with consistency. He ended the year with 3,541 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, but the offense often looked disjointed.
The Bears made a bold move in the offseason, bringing in Ben Johnson as head coach. Known for his creative offensive mind, Johnson was tasked with unlocking Williams’ full potential. And in Year 2, the results were undeniable.
Williams threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season, showing improved command of the offense and a sharper decision-making process. His playoff performance was equally encouraging-618 yards and four touchdowns through the air in two games.
The Bears didn’t reach the Super Bowl, but they found their quarterback. And more importantly, Williams found his voice-both on the field and off it.
The scoreboard tweet wasn’t just a witty comeback. It was a reminder: Caleb Williams isn’t just here to play. He’s here to win-and he’s already shown he can do just that, even in the face of doubt.
As Chicago gears up for another playoff push, the confidence in the locker room starts with No. 13 under center. And if anyone forgets his name again, well… there’s always the scoreboard.