Things did not go well for the Chicago Bears in their Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. They lost the game 29-9 and after what ended up being the game’s final play, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was walking gingerly off of the field.
Throughout Chicago’s final offensive possession, Charles Davis, who was calling the game as a color analyst for CBS, repeatedly questioned the logic of leaving Williams in the game during garbage time.
On the first play after the two-minute warning, Williams dropped, then scrambled around the backfield before completing a 13-yard pass to Keenan Allen. And while the play was a success for the Bears, Davis began to wonder why Williams was still playing.
“Williams still in the ball game at this stage, and I know he is, you know, you mentioned it — how uber-competitive he is, he probably doesn’t want to come out. I don’t know that I would continue to have him in at this stage,” Davis said.
He continued after the next play, a short completion to Roschon Johnson, Davis continued.
“I’m not sure how many lessons there are for him in this ballgame. I want that kid ready to go for next week. I get what they’re doing. They’re trying to let him play it out, be competitive, learn a few more things. I just don’t know that there’s anything left to learn at this stage — for this ballgame itself.”
Charles Davis was critical of Caleb Williams being out there before the quarterback was hurt.
“I’m not sure how many lessons there are for him in this ballgame. I want that kid ready to go for next week.” pic.twitter.com/BsWo4u3mWt
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2024
That continued as the possession progressed. On a third down play, Williams scrambled and — after running for two yards — was slow to get up.
“See?” Davis said, as Williams was on the ground. “I don’t think there’s any toughness to prove here.”
And more…
“I don’t think there’s any toughness to prove here.” pic.twitter.com/u4oALg1nYF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2024
The next play was a fourth down. Williams scrambled around the backfield and while he did eventually complete a six-yard pass to Allen for a first down, was hit as he threw.
Despite Chicago picking up the first down, that ended up being the final play of the game. Williams grabbed at his legs in pain and was helped to his feet. Fortunately, Williams walked off of the field on his own, though he was limping.
Naturally, Davis’ criticism continued.
“I’m sorry, this just does not make sense to me,” Davis said. “This is your rookie quarterback — the face of your franchise. I don’t think he should have been out there for the two minutes. Hope he’s OK.”
Charles Davis had some criticism for the Bears after Caleb Williams was hurt in garbage time.
“I’m sorry, this just does not make sense to me. This is your rookie quarterback…I don’t think he should have been out there for the two minutes.”pic.twitter.com/4ijJ6OOL0D
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2024
Fortunately, disaster appears to have been averted. Williams said he was fine after the game. That said, Davis has a point.
Football is a physical game. Injuries are going to happen. But there’s something to be said about keeping your best players safe. Williams has a long way to go before we can call him a top-tier quarterback in the NFL. Still, he was the first player taken in the most recent NFL Draft. The Bears drafted him to be the franchise quarterback.
Furthermore, Chicago’s inability to keep Williams on his feet was arguably the biggest reason the game was as lopsided as it was. He was sacked six times and is on pace to be sacked 62 times, which would make him one of the most sacked quarterbacks in any season.
Caleb Williams is on pace to be sacked 62 times this season.
Would be the tied for 6th most in NFL history.
pic.twitter.com/KZBsdFLxAR— BOOG (@BoogCB) November 4, 2024
Knowing that and that the Bears had no chance to get back into the game, it’s easy to understand why Davis was questioning Matt Eberflus and the rest of Chicago’s coaching staff. Disaster might have been averted. But it also didn’t need to be a potential issue.
