Bears quarterback Caleb Williams
insists he still has faith in general manager Ryan Poles
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[December 13, 2024]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams
insisted he hasn't lost faith in general manager Ryan Poles.
Even with the team on a seven-game losing streak, he believes the
franchise has the right person in place to build a winner.
“The amount that he cares about us, the Chicago Bears and wanting to
win is why my faith is in him and believing in him and making sure
that we get it right,” Williams said Thursday. “That’s my short
answer to it.”
The Bears (4-9) sure didn't think they would be in a position like
this heading into their game at Minnesota (11-2) on Monday night.
They came into the season expecting to contend for a playoff spot
after making a series of high-profile moves, none bigger than
drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. But a team that
rolled into its bye with three straight wins and a 4-2 record has
since done nothing but lose.
Chicago fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in the wake of a
19-3 loss to New England at Soldier Field in Week 10 and promoted
Thomas Brown from passing game coordinator. While Williams seemed to
regain his footing after several rough outings, the losses continued
to mount.
The Bears fired a head coach in season for the first time when they
let Matt Eberflus go the day after a loss at Detroit on
Thanksgiving, when they ran out of time for a potential tying field
goal despite having one timeout remaining. It was just the latest in
a string of bad late-game decisions.
With Brown debuting as interim coach, the Bears got blown out 38-13
at San Francisco last week. Williams threw for just 134 yards with
two late touchdowns and was sacked seven times in that game, a big
drop in production from his first three games with Brown calling the
plays, and the schedule sure doesn't get easier. The Vikings have
won six in a row, including an overtime victory at Soldier Field in
Week 12 in which Chicago scored 11 points in the final 22 seconds of
regulation.
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Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) and quarterback Caleb
Williams (18) walk off the field after an NFL football game against
the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 8,
2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

In one season at Oklahoma and two at Southern
California, Williams' teams lost a total of 10 games. The Bears
could equal that this week.
“There’s belief — belief, hope and faith — that we’re going to get
this right and however it may happen, that’s how it’s going to
happen," Williams said. "That’s kind of where I’m at with it. They
drafted me here to go win games.”
Williams insisted his relationship with Poles has only gotten
stronger and his faith in the general manager hasn't wavered. He
pointed toward the acquisitions in the offseason, a list that
included two wide receivers in six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and
No. 9 overall draft pick Rome Odunze as well as running back D'Andre
Swift.
“Keep going on with a list of people. He’s done a good job,”
Williams said.
Notes: RBs Roschon Johnson (concussion) and D'Andre Swift (groin), G
Ryan Bates (concussion) and DT Gervon Dexter (knee) would not have
participated had the team held practice rather than a walk-through.
S Elijah Hicks (ankle) would have been limited. Johnson sat out last
week's game, while Bates and Hicks have missed the past three.
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