Bears’ Williams OK with Titans game plan, not worried about stats

LAKE FOREST, Illinois — Since he was 9 years old, Caleb Williams has dreamed of the big moments of his football career: winning the Heisman Trophy (which he won in 2022 at USC), being the first overall draft pick and making his first regular-season start at quarterback in the NFL.

When asked Wednesday, four days before the Chicago Bears’ season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field, how the Bears quarterback would feel if the coaches decided not to task the rookie with heavy production in the passing game, Williams said he would be comfortable with it no matter what the game plan entailed.

“Run the ball and win the game? That’s it,” Williams said. “When we come out and decide the offensive line is dominating and wide receivers are dominating blocks, extending runs and stuff like that, coach always talks about back side wins championships, front side wins games and stuff like that. When we have guys out there that bring that kind of energy and we pass the ball and we get, I don’t know, 5 (yards) a pop, I mean, it’s tough to beat that.

“If that’s the case, that’s the case. As long as we win. Because the last time I remember, the wins are the most important thing. And as long as we get that win, at the end of the day, 100 yards, 400, it’s all going to be the same.”

Williams played two exhibition games, completing 10 of 20 passes for 170 yards with a 79.2 passer rating and recording a touchdown of 7 yards on the ground.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said there will be times early in games and on downs when the team will need the quarterback to play “point guard” while also distributing the ball to the players around him as part of an efficient operation.

“I’m excited to see him,” Eberflus said. “And I’m excited (for Williams) to lean forward and lean on his teammates. Because that’s what you’ve got to do with a quarterback. He’s got guys around him that have been playing for years. And again, he’s a rookie. So, he just leans on those guys and gives the ball to those guys and lets them do their job. We’ve got to do a good job of protecting him. But yeah, just leaning forward and leaning on his teammates.”

Williams earned the starting job in Chicago prior to his first workout at rookie minicamp in May. Over the past four months, his leadership has led to him being the only first-year player to be named a full-season captain since the Bears began officially naming them in 2007.

The effect Williams’ skills and attitude on the pitch have on his teammates is noticeable.

“The expectation is what it always is: to win,” wide receiver Keenan Allen said. “No matter who the quarterback is, you want to win. I wouldn’t rather be with any other guy right now than Caleb. He’s gotten better since we started. The confidence is through the roof.”

Williams will take a moment to reflect on this next step in his football journey during pregame warmups on Sunday. It’s a moment the 22-year-old quarterback has dreamed of for years.

“When my feet hit the grass, it’s business as usual,” Williams said. “When I run out of the stadium, I do a little lap in the tunnel, when I come out of the tunnel, I see the stadium, take it all in and feel the energy, the vibe and go from there. Once I’ve done my lap and gone to the sideline, it’s time to go.”