With the Bears firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron this week and the offense continuing to struggle, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had a message for his teammates in their next meeting.
Jay Glazer reported on “Fox NFL Sunday” that Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, has apologized “for his role in this matter.”
“The role in this one is that he didn't go in and say, 'Oh, I want this person to quit,'” Glaser said. “But his role is, 'Obviously, I'm not playing well enough.' If the offensive coordinator gets fired, I have a problem with him” — about his responsibilities as that quarterback.
“But again, when he did it, a lot of the veterans looked and said, ‘Okay, rookie, this is what we want to see.'” Accountability, good on Caleb Williams’ part I took action. ”
Waldron has spent the past three years as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator and is just nine games into his tenure with the Bears, but Chicago selected the Spark after scoring just 27 points in their recent three-game losing streak. In Week 10 against the Patriots, Williams threw for just 120 yards and was sacked nine times.
Passing game coordinator Thomas Brown has earned a promotion to offensive coordinator, and his first challenge is how to improve on Williams' 1,785 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and five interceptions during his mixed rookie campaign. I'll have to think about whether to do it.
“After evaluating the entire operation, we decided it was in the best interest of our team to take offensive leadership and move in a different direction. This decision was well thought out and was made carefully and respectfully. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said in a statement after Waldron was fired, adding that Brown has experience calling plays.
ESPN Chicago radio host Mark “Sylvie” Silverman reported earlier in the week that “several veteran players asked the Bears to bench Williams as well,” but before a team meeting where Williams apologized. It is unknown whether that was the case.
The Bears opened the season 4-2 and were one of the early and surprise playoff contenders, but have lost three straight entering Sunday's NFC North rivalry showdown with the Packers at Soldier Field. There is.
After Green Bay, Chicago will host the Vikings, then face the Lions, 49ers, and then the Lions and Vikings again to continue their grueling schedule.
By that point, they hope the decision to relieve Waldron and Williams of their responsibilities will lead to improved performance to keep pace with these powerful offensive lines.
Otherwise, given the crowded NFC playoff picture, the first year of the Williams era with the Bears could end without making the postseason.
