Week 11 Official Game Thread - CHI @ MIN, Nov 16th, 12PM CST, FOX, CHI +2.5

[AZ54]

The table was definitely not set well in the first half.  The second half had a much better menu.  

[AZ54]

We just went into the Vikings stadium and beat them.  I have to keep repeating that to myself because it seems surreal.  Especially when Tyrique went out.  I’m being captain obvious here but the difference between week one and this win is the coaching.  As bad as it feels at times the floor for this team is just at a higher level.  When they will put it all together I don’t know. It might be next year.  

I believe Caleb has a mental hurdle to get over with other QBs in his draft class.  Against Daniel’s and Wash he was sailing passes high early on.   Today again it’s the same thing.  Pressure to prove he was deserving of the #1 overall pick seems to be real with him.  

[Stinger226]

7 hours ago, AZ54 said:

We just went into the Vikings stadium and beat them.  I have to keep repeating that to myself because it seems surreal.  Especially when Tyrique went out.  I’m being captain obvious here but the difference between week one and this win is the coaching.  As bad as it feels at times the floor for this team is just at a higher level.  When they will put it all together I don’t know. It might be next year.  

I believe Caleb has a mental hurdle to get over with other QBs in his draft class.  Against Daniel’s and Wash he was sailing passes high early on.   Today again it’s the same thing.  Pressure to prove he was deserving of the #1 overall pick seems to be real with him.  

I think you are speaking to his need to be the hero, ego drives him. In college they called it hero ball. If you look at him at the end of the game, he seemed mad and not excited when Santos won the game. At this point in the season when his inaccuracy should be getting better, a lot of misses. He had some drops but on several of those it looks like he threw fast balls when he should have thrown change ups.

Last week we won because of Caleb, this week he was just along for the ride. He has some outstanding traits but if he doesnt start being more consistent all of those great traits will not matter. He's not going anywhere anytime soon but at what point does BJ quit trusting him? Half way into the season next year is my guess.

[Mongo3451]

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

He's not going anywhere anytime soon but at what point does BJ quit trusting him? Half way into the season next year is my guess.

As long as he is showing a work ethic and growth, next year is off the table.  Regardless of stats, he made winning plays yesterday.  No turnovers, rushing for first downs and avoiding sacks isn't pretty, but it's winning football.  All of those blitzes can make a young QBs head spin. 

I agree on the piss missiles, though.  He needs to lay off on those heaters.  Favre had to do the same thing.  His brain will slow down as he sees it more.

[adam]

On 11/10/2025 at 9:27 AM, adam said:

So based on the congunkulator, the most logical outcome is Bears 23-20.

The Congunkulator was pretty close, and predicted wins the last two weeks. 

[Stinger226]

1 hour ago, adam said:

The Congunkulator was pretty close, and predicted wins the last two weeks. 

I predict right now, every game is going to be close and we have not seen the last of the late game win scenario.

[BearFan PHX]

6 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I think you are speaking to his need to be the hero, ego drives him. In college they called it hero ball. If you look at him at the end of the game, he seemed mad and not excited when Santos won the game. At this point in the season when his inaccuracy should be getting better, a lot of misses. He had some drops but on several of those it looks like he threw fast balls when he should have thrown change ups.

Last week we won because of Caleb, this week he was just along for the ride. He has some outstanding traits but if he doesnt start being more consistent all of those great traits will not matter. He's not going anywhere anytime soon but at what point does BJ quit trusting him? Half way into the season next year is my guess.

Well thats an old media narrative for sure.

Just so Im clear, youre saying you think the Bears will abandon Caleb Williams in the middle of next season. Thats your take.

Astonishing really.

[AZ54]

11 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

Well thats an old media narrative for sure.

Just so Im clear, youre saying you think the Bears will abandon Caleb Williams in the middle of next season. Thats your take.

Astonishing really.

We don’t hire the best coaches only to throw the baby out with the bath water.  

[BearFan PHX]

11 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

We don’t hire the best coaches only to throw the baby out with the bath water.  

Totally agree of course. Just watching him, he is getting better each week, and has all the traits of an all time great. Will he reach that height? I dunno, no one can tell, but to think we are going to abandon Caleb Williams based on what weve seen this season is possibly the dumbest thing Ive ever heard.

The good news is, when he reaches the next level, which I absolutely think he will, the guy that said we'd get rid of him will probably be talking about how great he is. Instead of how good Justin Fields is (yes still!).

There's more to say, but I promised I wouldnt, so I wont. But sheesh.

[CrackerDog]

I wish people could just move on from the stupid shit they’ve said in the past and just admit it was stupid.   Hell I’ve said sooo many stupid things in the heat of an argument about this team.  It happens.  Been pouring my heart and soul into loving them for more than 50 years.  
 

Anyone who doesn’t see Caleb’s massive potential is being willfully ignorant.  

[50england50]

I think everyone is fully behind Caleb and wants him to succeed and are not interested in what any other QB is doing, including Justin, anyone in Caleb’s class, or Bryce Young (if miraculously he turns into a star). I think we want to see consistent growth from Caleb which I don’t think is 100% there yet. However, there are still factors outside his control that aren't helping. 

The biggest factor I feel has changed, and I hope this doesn't change. I not half expecting a ridiculous play or playa that massively puts us in an insurmountable position in a game. Yesterday I never felt that we could get out s**t together and win the game.

Maybe when Caleb fully gets everything together and the media get behind him we will start getting good officiating, because at the moment it seems the league wants the Bears to not succeed. 

If we can get Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon back soon, and they get up speed. I think our defense can become a lot stronger because a good to great secondary will improve our pass rush. 

How satisfying is it to sit at the top of the North and be the number 3 seed. I didn't expect that this year. I would rather be in front and have our things in our hands instead of chasing the Lions and Packers. 

[BearFan PHX]

48 minutes ago, CrackerDog said:

I wish people could just move on from the stupid shit they’ve said in the past and just admit it was stupid.   Hell I’ve said sooo many stupid things in the heat of an argument about this team.  It happens.  Been pouring my heart and soul into loving them for more than 50 years.  
 

Anyone who doesn’t see Caleb’s massive potential is being willfully ignorant.  

amen. it's ridiculous.
 

23 minutes ago, 50england50 said:

I think we want to see consistent growth from Caleb which I don’t think is 100% there yet. However, there are still factors outside his control that aren't helping. 

Absolutely. Caleb is not a finished product by any means. This week, the Vikings blitzed on 67% of the plays, and Caleb was under instant pressure. Benedet has not been great in pass protection.

What Caleb can do is somehow magically get out of most sacks. This isnt because he has an ego and is playing USC "hero ball" - thats an old media narrative that should be dead by now for anyone watching the games. Escaping pressure is not big play hunting.

Also, the Vikings blitzed and played man to man a lot. That means less or no help over the top. The DBs were playing tight and close, so that means the way you beat them is over the top with the long ball.

One of Caleb's biggest weaknesses in my view is his inaccuracy on long balls. The Vikings were smart to play him that way. To dare him to beat them over the top. It plays to a weakness, and it forces the play to take longer, which, when coupled with extra pressure, makes things tough on Caleb.

But we will improve his pass protection. We will find another player if necessary to play LT. Caleb's long term future is still bright.

But his holding the ball longer and throwing long passes this week wasn't ego or hero ball. It was a consequence of the defensive game plan, and a lack of pass protection. His inaccuracy on those early long passes IS on Caleb. And that would have calmed down the blitz if he'd hit on one.

There is blame to go around, but if you think Caleb was playing hero ball, and is likely to be replaced in the middle of next year, then you don't really know football at all.

[Stinger226]

17 hours ago, AZ54 said:

We don’t hire the best coaches only to throw the baby out with the bath water.  

Im all in on Caleb as being hopeful for the progression of all players on the team. The question I am asking is ; if Caleb is throwing below 60% next year at this time, and making the same mistakes, (holding the ball to long) overthrowing WRs) at what point will BJ consider another QB? This is Caleb's first year with BJ and this offense, Im not expecting a top 5 QB this year but if we dont see progress?

Example is Tevor Lawrence, a fist player taken and he definitely did not deserve a 275 mil extension? Of course one year from now that will depend on if we are winning . If we are still winning besides Caleb's mediocre play, he will stick with him but for how long?

My history was I was all in on Justin and hoped he would get better, he didnt and should have accepted that sooner, and now that a ask the same question about Caleb, that's the wrong comment to make? It will be his 3rd year.

I have seen many pundits question Caleb's body language at the end of the game when he seemed upset that BJ did not rely on him to win the game for us when he ran the ball 3 times and kicked the FG? If that is true, will that be a problem going forward?

[BearFan PHX]

Caleb is 1,000 times better right now than JF ever has been.

His body language was not pouting because we ran the ball at the end, it was because the offense didnt play better the whole game.

The pundits who are saying Caleb is in trouble in Chicago are morons. This is an awful take - it is ignorant and says people who think it know nothing about football. It's not even close. Fields was terrible, and Caleb is on his way to greatness. If you cant see that, you cant see anything.

[AZ54]

6 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Im all in on Caleb as being hopeful for the progression of all players on the team. The question I am asking is ; if Caleb is throwing below 60% next year at this time, and making the same mistakes, (holding the ball to long) overthrowing WRs) at what point will BJ consider another QB? This is Caleb's first year with BJ and this offense, Im not expecting a top 5 QB this year but if we dont see progress?

Example is Tevor Lawrence, a fist player taken and he definitely did not deserve a 275 mil extension? Of course one year from now that will depend on if we are winning . If we are still winning besides Caleb's mediocre play, he will stick with him but for how long?

My history was I was all in on Justin and hoped he would get better, he didnt and should have accepted that sooner, and now that a ask the same question about Caleb, that's the wrong comment to make? It will be his 3rd year.

I have seen many pundits question Caleb's body language at the end of the game when he seemed upset that BJ did not rely on him to win the game for us when he ran the ball 3 times and kicked the FG? If that is true, will that be a problem going forward?

Caleb is not a finished product but neither is the rest of the offense.   First don’t be swayed by narratives around time to throw.  Caleb is not Jared Goff  going down in the pocket when the play isn’t there.  Extending plays like does is a gift but there should be two distributions for time to throw.  One for in the pocket.  One for outside.   The number of times he uses that gift has gone down but there are no NFL defenders who want to cover for 6 seconds.   Likewise the number of throws he makes in anticipation has gone up.  
There are many moving pieces to this offense with read options on plays.  Each game gets a little bit better  that’s what matters most.   

 

This was a drop by a receiver making $20m    

[BearFan PHX]

10 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Caleb is not a finished product but neither is the rest of the offense.   First don’t be swayed by narratives around time to throw.  Caleb is not Jared Goff  going down in the pocket when the play isn’t there.  Extending plays like does is a gift but there should be two distributions for time to throw.  One for in the pocket.  One for outside.   The number of times he uses that gift has gone down but there are no NFL defenders who want to cover for 6 seconds.   Likewise the number of throws he makes in anticipation has gone up.  
There are many moving pieces to this offense with read options on plays.  Each game gets a little bit better  that’s what matters most.   

 

This was a drop by a receiver making $20m    

well said

[adam]

35 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Caleb is not a finished product but neither is the rest of the offense.   First don’t be swayed by narratives around time to throw.  Caleb is not Jared Goff  going down in the pocket when the play isn’t there.  Extending plays like does is a gift but there should be two distributions for time to throw.  One for in the pocket.  One for outside.   The number of times he uses that gift has gone down but there are no NFL defenders who want to cover for 6 seconds.   Likewise the number of throws he makes in anticipation has gone up.  
There are many moving pieces to this offense with read options on plays.  Each game gets a little bit better  that’s what matters most.   

 

This was a drop by a receiver making $20m    

As Bears fan, we all should be enjoying this ride. No QB is perfect halfway thru their 2nd season in the league. 

Williams biggest issue from last year was taking too many sacks, and he has not only improved on that exponentially, he actually has become this magician avoiding sacks. So not only is he not taking unnecessary ones now, he is avoiding almost sure things. 

It is still Year 1 in a new offense that is new for all players. They changed his stance, they have him playing under center and with play action more than he ever has in his life. Now it is the time to work on ball placement and accuracy. Once he improves there, he will be a top 10 QB until he retires.

[BearFan PHX]

13 minutes ago, adam said:

As Bears fan, we all should be enjoying this ride. No QB is perfect halfway thru their 2nd season in the league. 

Williams biggest issue from last year was taking too many sacks, and he has not only improved on that exponentially, he actually has become this magician avoiding sacks. So not only is he not taking unnecessary ones now, he is avoiding almost sure things. 

It is still Year 1 in a new offense that is new for all players. They changed his stance, they have him playing under center and with play action more than he ever has in his life. Now it is the time to work on ball placement and accuracy. Once he improves there, he will be a top 10 QB until he retires.

Hell, Caleb is 13th in the league by yards right now.

Honestly, everyone on this board sees it except for one person. Im not trying to be mean, but we spend an awful lot of time on this one person's awful takes - myself maybe most of all, to be fair.

[adam]

11 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

Hell, Caleb is 13th in the league by yards right now.

Honestly, everyone on this board sees it except for one person. Im not trying to be mean, but we spend an awful lot of time on this one person's awful takes - myself maybe most of all, to be fair.

I don't think everyone is sold on him, and that's ok. I just think he is a lot closer to figuring it out than some may think. 

Not only him, but the entire team has not played a full clean game yet. To be 7-3 and that be the case really makes this a dangerous team going forward. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

31 minutes ago, adam said:

I don't think everyone is sold on him, and that's ok. I just think he is a lot closer to figuring it out than some may think. 

Count me as one of those skeptics.  Right now, to me, this is Trubisky 2018 (2.0).  Even if they don't make the playoffs. 

For me to totally buy in I'll need to see a sustained and upward trending progress next year...and beyond. 

[Stinger226]

I see what everyone else sees and I am not the glass half empty guy on here. He has some great traits but I am disappointed he is not getting the simple passes down yet. Below 60% is not a good look to me.  I have never said we should bail on him, or am I a Caleb hater. I asked a question about if he still hasnt progressed a yr from now, what does that do for BJ's confidence in him ? I guess now its okay to be the blind homey. I have been many times accused of being a clueless homer and wearing binders when I look at players on the team. I am not going to pretend he's great until he actual shows more consistency. 

[Pixote]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

Hell, Caleb is 13th in the league by yards right now.

Honestly, everyone on this board sees it except for one person. Im not trying to be mean, but we spend an awful lot of time on this one person's awful takes - myself maybe most of all, to be fair.

There is no reason to spend a lot of time trying to convince someone they are wrong in their opinion.

They have a right to voice their opinion. Let it be. Move on. 

There is no reason someone cannot have a different opinion without being called a moron.

Just because someone doesn't agree with the majority does not reflect on their intelligence or knowledge of football. They have a difference of opinion and shared it. Just that simple.

 

 

[Mongo3451]

I can't stand Colin Cowherd, but I'm going to use an analogy he had about Caleb and the Bears.  He asked the question, "is it sustainable"?  Going with that thought, I determined that it is.  Have we scored fluke points?  Nope.  Did we get cheap turnovers?  Nope.  Can Caleb keep winning late?  Why not?  He has the clutch gene.  Can we continue to be a top rushing team?  Yes.  Can Caleb continue to reduce sacks and extend plays?  Yes.  Can we continue to win TOP?  Yup.   

Anything we see offensively is going to get better.  BJ is just recently relying on the rookies to make plays, which frees up the vets.  Anything we see on defense is going to get better.  From getting half our secondary back to generating a better pass rush.  Can you imagine us being in dime with Kyler and CJ in the box?  With their ability to make big plays, DA can pick and choose.  If we make the playoffs, I don't think the other team wants to see a close game.  We're dangerously flawed, but still dangerous.

[Pixote]

5 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

I can't stand Colin Cowherd, but I'm going to use an analogy he had about Caleb and the Bears.  He asked the question, "is it sustainable"?  Going with that thought, I determined that it is.  Have we scored fluke points?  Nope.  Did we get cheap turnovers?  Nope.  Can Caleb keep winning late?  Why not?  He has the clutch gene.  Can we continue to be a top rushing team?  Yes.  Can Caleb continue to reduce sacks and extend plays?  Yes.  Can we continue to win TOP?  Yup.   

Anything we see offensively is going to get better.  BJ is just recently relying on the rookies to make plays, which frees up the vets.  Anything we see on defense is going to get better.  From getting half our secondary back to generating a better pass rush.  Can you imagine us being in dime with Kyler and CJ in the box?  With their ability to make big plays, DA can pick and choose.  If we make the playoffs, I don't think the other team wants to see a close game.  We're dangerously flawed, but still dangerous.

Agree, BUT we need to get players back from injuries FAST. After Pittsburgh (and beating a team coached by Tomlin is never easy), our schedule is brutal with little wiggle room. This is where having a late bye week would have benefited the Bears.