Instant Reactions: Caleb Williams, offense just not enough vs. Colts

Defense did its job, special teams did its job. Just like last week in Houston, Caleb Williams said that all you can ask for is a chance to win the game.

With 6:50 left in the fourth quarter, the offense had a chance. A strip sack on the first play of the drive ended that chance. Caleb and the Bears’ offense turned the ball over three times.

It’s bad news for the Bears, and as another game passes where Chicago struggles to put points on the board, more questions are left with unclear answers as to where this team is headed in 2024.

Week 4 against the Rams feels like make-or-break, but it’s not a spot that most of us saw the Bears being in heading into the year.

We finally saw Caleb Williams throw for six in a Bears uniform — the No. 1 overall pick found his first-round partner Rome Odunze in the corner of the end zone in the fourth quarter.

But it wasn’t enough. It’s been a recurring theme for Chicago in 2024. Now, it’s all eyes to next week at Soldier Field.

Nicholas Moreano

The Chicago Bears have serious issues with their offense. The loss to the Colts highlighted Shane Waldron’s inability to call plays. The option to D’Andre Swift out of the pistol on fourth-and-1 at the Colts’ 1-yardline is the perfect example of how bad the situation is in Chicago. The defense picked off Anthony Richardson two times, but also gave up some explosive plays downfield. Chicago drops to 1-2 on the season after a disappointing performance.

Adam Hoge

Well, the Bears figured out how to gain yards. Now they just need to figure out how to score points. Caleb Williams played a lot better, but still had his fair share of rookie misses. Shane Waldron has A LOT to prove. The pistol option on 4th & 1 at the goal line shouldn’t even be in an NFL playbook, let alone called in that situation. Adversity is striking the Bears early again and it will be interesting to see how Matt Eberflus handles it next time. I know one thing: Matthew Stafford won’t help the Bears nearly as much as Anthony Richardson did Sunday.

Mark Carman

Welp. It’s not that the Bears are 1-2 it is the way they are 1-2. Offensive line issues. Coaching issues. And, the many looks of frustration on the face of Caleb Williams is worrisome. Caleb is built to withstand a lot but that resolve is immediately being tested with no end in sight to his protection improving and the help he needs from the coaching staff to create a game plan that works.

Greg Braggs Jr.

Caleb Williams showed progress throwing for 363 yards, the most yards in a game since 2016. In his 3rd game. Progress. It’s a tough pill to swallow but that’s where we’re at, Bears Fans. Taking solace in little victories. He looked more comfortable at the line of scrimmage. Looked more comfortable in the pocket. That’s not to say there weren’t mistakes by #18. There were but at the end of the day, there were clear signs of progress from the QB.

Kevin Kaduk

Growing pains are the absolute worst. And it’s hard to believe they’re going to end any time soon. While Caleb Williams had some moments with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet, he still had his fair share of overthrows and it’s hard to believe that Shane Waldron is en route to anywhere but being a one-and-done offensive coordinator. Matt Eberflus is also on the hot seat if this mistake and penalty-filled effort doesn’t get turned around fast.

Patrick Norton

It’s like we just watched the Bears play the Bears. We saw glimpses, but it just wasn’t enough. Maybe next week is the week it finally clicks, but it’s an uneasy feeling that heading into Week 4, time might be running out. We’ll see what happens at Halas Hall this week. Plenty to clean up, even against the run on defense, but it’s just another week where you think it’s coming together and it just doesn’t happen. Onto the Rams.