The Chicago Bears’ 2024 NFL season, which began with sky-high hopes following the selection of Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick, is unraveling faster than fans could have imagined. Amid a chaotic three-game losing streak, the team’s brass made a bold move, firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Yet, the latest reports suggest that the issues in Halas Hall run much deeper, with frustrations boiling over just days before the critical Week 11 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
The Caleb Williams Dilemma
Touted as a once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect, Williams entered the NFL with a résumé that screamed “future superstar.” The former USC Trojan passed for an astonishing 10,000+ yards and 93 touchdowns in college, drawing comparisons to NFL legends like Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence. The hype was palpable—many believed Williams would redefine the quarterback position for the Bears. Instead, his rookie campaign has been riddled with growing pains.
Through nine games, Williams has led the Bears to a 4-5 record while completing 60.5% of his passes for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. More concerning is the staggering number of sacks he’s absorbed: 38, the most in the league. For comparison, Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud has been sacked 34 times but has managed to deliver consistently strong performances. The mounting pressure—both literal and figurative—on Williams is a glaring problem.
Breer: “A Ton of Frustration”
NFL insider Albert Breer shed light on the tension brewing within the Bears’ organization. “There’s a ton of frustration, no question,” Breer revealed. “I think a lot of this stems back to Caleb Williams not being quite as ready as [the Bears] hoped he’d be when the season began.”
This isn’t what the Bears envisioned when they drafted Williams, and it’s clear his rocky transition to the pros has amplified the team’s struggles. The blame game has spread far and wide, with head coach Matt Eberflus now sitting firmly on the hot seat. Whispers of discontent have even led to speculation about benching Williams in favor of undrafted backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Is a Quarterback Controversy Brewing?
The notion of benching Williams may seem drastic, but Bagent has an impressive college track record. The former Shepherd University standout shattered records with 17,000 passing yards and 159 touchdowns in Division II football. While his résumé pales in comparison to Williams’ collegiate achievements, some believe he could provide a steady hand as the Bears navigate their turbulent season.
However, these rumors could be a symptom of the chaos surrounding the franchise. When a team falters, speculation often takes on a life of its own, and the Bears are no exception.
New Leadership, New Hope?
In an effort to steady the ship, the Bears have turned to newly promoted offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Breer reported that Brown’s first order of business has been fostering unity within the offense by implementing full-unit meetings instead of breaking into position groups. The goal? To bring cohesion to a group that has seemed disjointed all season.
“One of the first things that Thomas Brown did over the course of the last few days is emphasize having full unit meetings, rather than breaking into position groups,” Breer noted. “The hope is that he can bring the group together to try to find solutions.”
A Season on the Brink
The Bears entered 2024 with dreams of a playoff run and a franchise quarterback to build around for years to come. Instead, they find themselves in crisis. The offense is in disarray, the coaching staff is under fire, and their prized rookie quarterback is struggling to meet sky-high expectations.
But there is still hope. With a renewed focus on unity under Brown and the undeniable talent of Caleb Williams, the Bears could still salvage their season. Whether that happens will depend on their ability to rally and make significant changes—fast.
One thing is certain: the spotlight on Halas Hall has never been brighter, and every decision in the coming weeks will shape not only the remainder of 2024 but the future of the Bears franchise.
