NFC North Notebook: Caleb Williams Shows Growth, Lions Face Tough Injury Decisions, and Packers Monitor Jacobs’ Knee
Bears: Caleb Williams Zeros In On the Details as Growth Continues
The Bears may have come up short against the Packers in Week 14, falling 28-21, but the second half told a different story. Chicago put up 18 points after halftime, and while it wasn’t enough to steal the win, it offered a glimpse of what this offense could be when things start to click - especially for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams pointed to the basics - footwork, timing, and communication - as the key to that late-game surge.
“I think it just comes down to small details from me,” Williams said after the game. “Footwork.
Getting a rhythm faster. And then small details for us in the passing game - making sure everybody is where they need to be and communicating that properly.”
That’s the kind of self-awareness you want to hear from a young quarterback still finding his footing in the NFL. Williams’ completion percentage currently sits at 57.8%, which ranks him near the bottom among qualifying quarterbacks - 33rd out of 34, to be exact.
But it’s not just about numbers for the Bears right now. It’s about trajectory.
Head coach Ben Johnson echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that while Williams has left some throws on the field, the bigger picture remains promising.
“There’s certainly some [throws] each week where you feel like guys are open and we can get them the ball on time,” Johnson said. “But when we start combining that with the other things we’re building - rhythm, timing, decision-making - we’re going to have a really dangerous quarterback in this league.”
Johnson emphasized the daily grind behind the scenes. The Bears are focused on stacking progress, even if the wins haven’t followed just yet. The flashes are there, and if Williams continues to sharpen the finer points of his game, Chicago could be looking at a very different offense in the near future.
Lions: Injury Clouds Contract Outlook for Key Young Stars
Detroit’s front office has some big decisions looming - and injuries are making the picture more complicated than they’d like.
Two of their brightest young talents, defensive back Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta, are both sidelined with season-ending injuries. That’s created some hesitation when it comes to contract extensions. According to reports, the Lions may take a wait-and-see approach before committing long-term money to either player.
It’s not a knock on their talent - both have shown they can be foundational pieces. But with health now in question, Detroit appears content to let the recovery process play out before diving into negotiations.
Meanwhile, running back Jahmyr Gibbs is trending in the opposite direction. The explosive back is in line for a major payday, and the team could look to lock him in sooner rather than later. Gibbs has been a game-changer this season, and Detroit knows what it has in him - a dynamic weapon who can tilt the field every time he touches the ball.
On the offensive line, veteran center Frank Ragnow is working his way back from a hamstring injury. OL coach Hank Fraley said Ragnow got “nicked up” during his comeback training, but the door remains open for a return in 2026.
“If he wanted to be back, that door’s open,” Fraley said.
It’s a delicate balance for Detroit - managing injuries, weighing long-term investments, and keeping the roster competitive. But with a strong core in place, the Lions are playing the long game.
Packers: Josh Jacobs Managing Knee Swelling, Status TBD
Green Bay is keeping a close eye on running back Josh Jacobs, who underwent another MRI earlier this week to check on his knee. The good news?
No new damage. The MRI came back clean.
The issue now is managing swelling - something that flared up again during the Packers’ win over the Bears. Jacobs hasn’t committed to playing this Sunday, and his availability remains up in the air.
For Green Bay, it’s a situation that requires patience. They’ll need Jacobs at full strength down the stretch, and pushing him too soon could backfire. With the MRI offering reassurance, the focus now shifts to how the knee responds in the coming days.
Bottom Line:
In Chicago, Caleb Williams is showing the kind of growth that doesn’t always show up in the box score - but matters just as much.
In Detroit, the Lions are navigating the tricky intersection of talent, injuries, and timing. And in Green Bay, the health of a key offensive piece could shape the rest of the season.
The NFC North is full of storylines, and as we head toward the final stretch, each team has a different kind of puzzle to solve.