The Chicago Bears’ narrow 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 may have added another defeat to their record, but for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the game offered glimmers of hope.
Despite a blocked field goal dashing their comeback attempt, the Bears displayed a level of offensive cohesion that had been sorely lacking in recent weeks.
Now sitting at 4-6 and riding a four-game losing streak, the Bears find themselves on the fringes of playoff contention. Yet, for Williams, Sunday’s performance marked a step in the right direction. “It started with [Interim Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown] stringing things together and doing a good job with that,” Williams said. “We had an idea of what’s next, and from there you go out there, you play, and you play efficient football. It gives you the best chance to win.”
Efficiency has been elusive for Chicago this season, but under Brown’s guidance, the offense found its rhythm. Williams engineered two methodical touchdown drives of 11 or more plays, helping the Bears dominate time of possession by more than 12 minutes. Their 5.8 yards per play was a marked improvement from the dismal 2.4 yards per play posted in their Week 10 loss to New England, a game that prompted the firing of former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
The offense also showed dramatic improvement on third downs, converting nine of 16 opportunities after managing just one conversion in 14 tries against the Patriots. This renewed efficiency provided Williams with the structure and confidence he needed to operate effectively.
“We didn’t reinvent the wheel in those three or four days with Thomas taking over as offensive coordinator,” Williams said. “I think the decisiveness came from our meetings and being able to get play calls in faster. It allowed us to be on the details—routes, blocking, running back paths. All those small things added up to what we saw last week.”
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Brown’s influence was evident not only in the numbers but in the flow of the game. The Bears’ offense looked organized, and Williams appeared more comfortable as a result. Though the loss still stings, Williams emphasized the importance of the little victories that come from playing “efficient football.”
The blocked field goal that ultimately sealed the Bears’ fate serves as a reminder that Chicago still has work to do. But Williams, who has faced his share of growing pains in his rookie season, views this game as a foundational performance. “I think communication, attitude, and being on the details—for myself and the whole team—will be huge for this run that we’re going to go on,” he said.
At 4-6, the playoffs may seem like a distant hope for Chicago, but the progress shown under Brown’s leadership provides a blueprint for the remainder of the season. For Williams, the performance against the Packers isn’t just about the result—it’s about the process of building a productive offense that can sustain success.
Looking ahead, the Bears will face a formidable Minnesota Vikings team in Week 12, presenting an opportunity to test whether this newfound efficiency can translate against one of the NFC’s best. The Vikings, sitting at 8-2, will undoubtedly be a tough opponent, but Williams remains optimistic about the path forward.
“We’re focusing on the details,” Williams said. “That’s going to be key for us. If we stay disciplined and keep building on what we did, we’ll have a real shot at turning this around.”
For Chicago, this season may ultimately serve as a developmental year for their rookie quarterback and a chance to reset their offensive identity. If Williams and the Bears can carry the momentum from their Week 11 showing into the weeks ahead, there’s reason to believe the future remains bright, even if the playoff hopes dim in the short term.
