Caleb Williams aims to bounce back after a rough first game as the Bears prepare for Chicago Stroud and the Houston Texans
Caleb Williams made it clear that he’s not focused on being compared to C.J. Stroud when the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans on Sunday night.
The quarterback, who was picked first overall by the Bears, just wants to improve after a less impressive debut and help his team win again.
Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California, was supported by the defense and special teams in the Bears’ 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans in their season opener. He might be missing two of his top wide receivers this week, as Rome Odunze (with a sprained knee) and Keenan Allen (with a heel issue) did not practice on Wednesday.
“I didn’t have the performance I wanted to, so I’m trying to figure it out as quickly as possible, making sure we are on the same page and handling what needs to be handled,” Williams said on Wednesday.
“All the small things become much bigger on game day. We need to manage those, including myself. Moving forward from there.”
Williams isn’t very interested in comparisons to Stroud and his impressive rookie season last year.
The Texans’ quarterback passed for over 4,100 yards and was named AP Offensive Player of the Year after being drafted second overall from Ohio State. He helped the Texans improve significantly in the AFC South.
“My motivation is to be the best for the Chicago Bears, win games, make the playoffs, and win there as well. I’m doing my best every day, both mentally and physically, ensuring I rest and eat well, and making sure I’m prepared in the week leading up to the game to be at my best for my team.”
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Bears’ Stevenson wins NFC defensive player of week honor
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The reaction of Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Will Levis said it all. After committing what he described as a “bonehead play,” Levis fell to his knees and struck a surrender cobra pose as Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson finished off a pick-six to seal the 24-17 victory Sunday.
“He knew as soon as he hit the ground,” Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “He looked and put his hands on his head. He knew he can’t make plays like that.”
It was the first pick-six for the second-year player, who raced 43 yards into the end zone for the go-ahead score as the Bears completed a comeback from a 17-points deficit.
Now the Bears travel to Houston to face second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and the 1-0 Texans. Stroud was 24-of-32 for 234 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Stevenson was named the NFC defensive player of the week. He had four tackles and another pass defensed. His interception return for a touchdown capped a stretch of 24 unanswered points scored by the Bears in what tied for the franchise’s fourth-largest comeback since at least 1950.
It’s the second time since Week 17 of the 2023 season that Stevenson has received the honor. After sharing the team lead with four interceptions as a rookie, Stevenson helped ignite the defense after an ugly start Sunday.
“I already knew there was no drop-off [from last season],” Stevenson said. “I wanted to come back in and show what I showed last season but times 10 because I put in the work.”
The Bears’ offense struggled in Caleb Williams’ NFL debut, totaling just 148 net yards and no passing or rushing touchdowns. Chicago relied on its defense and the special teams unit (a blocked punt returned for a TD and three field goals) to get back in the game.
