Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams delivered an impressive performance in the Week 12 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Although the Bears trailed 14-10 at halftime, Williams stood out in the first half, completing 16 of 22 passes for 176 yards.
With his first completed pass of the third quarter, Caleb Williams made history, setting a new Bears record for the most passing yards by a rookie quarterback in a single season. The previous record, 2,193 yards, was held by Mitch Trubisky from his 2017 rookie campaign.
Williams’ standout four-touchdown performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6 had many anticipating a historic season for the young quarterback. However, his struggles in consecutive games against the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots temporarily quieted discussions about him becoming the best quarterback in Bears history.
Those struggles played a key role in the Bears’ decision to make a change at offensive coordinator. Shane Waldron was dismissed before their game against the Green Bay Packers, where Williams, despite not throwing a touchdown, delivered what many consider the best performance of his career.
Since Thomas Brown took over as offensive coordinator, the Bears’ offense has shown clear signs of improvement for two consecutive weeks. If Williams continues his upward trajectory under Brown’s guidance, it could strengthen Brown’s case to become the Bears’ next head coach. Meanwhile, head coach Matt Eberflus remains under scrutiny, as ongoing failures could lead to his dismissal at the end of the season.
