CHICAGO — With two minutes and 14 seconds remaining in a horrendous sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, the followers seated within the United Membership of Soldier Area began to chant.
“Promote the staff!”
“Promote the staff!”
“Promote the staff!”
The Chicago Bears determined to punt after fourth-and-inches from their very own 39 became fourth-and-5 following offensive lineman fill-in Jake Curhan’s false begin.
“Promote the staff!”
“Promote the staff!”
However wait … the Bears known as a timeout. They modified their thoughts. They needed to go for it.
In any case, what did the Bears should lose however one other sport in one other misplaced season for the NFL’s constitution franchise?
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The chants, although, began once more.
They usually unfold.
“Promote the staff!”
The one factor that appeared to cease them was what quarterback Caleb Williams did within the sport’s waning moments amidst extra clock mismanagement by the Bears.
On fourth-and-5, Williams escaped an all-out blitz from the Seahawks and related with receiver DJ Moore over the center for a 14-yard acquire. Three performs in a while third-and-14, Williams eluded extra strain from Seattle, took successful to his throat from linebacker Boye Mafe and accomplished a 15-yard move to rookie receiver Rome Odunze.
However the chants would return.
Williams threw an interception over the center on the Bears’ closing offensive play in opposition to one other all-out blitz by Seattle. Quarterback Geno Smith then took a knee for a 6-3 win for the Seahawks on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”
“SELL THE TEAM!” chants broke out from Bears followers at Soldier Area tonight.
🎥 @jacobinfante24 pic.twitter.com/ErHL3deV9X
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 27, 2024
The followers who determined to stay out such an unpleasant sport the day after Christmas let chairman George McCaskey and his household hear it once more. Their chants grew louder — angrier.
“Promote the staff!”
“Promote the staff!”
“Promote the staff!”
As at all times, issues can and can worsen for the Bears. Followers have gone from chanting “Fireplace Nagy” to “Fireplace Flus” to “Promote the staff,” which, in response to some longtime observers, is a brand new one from the house crowd. The Bears’ shedding streak stretched to 10 video games. The one factor lacking is the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ annual pummeling of the Bears.
And that doubtless comes within the season finale at Lambeau Area.
Williams tried in charge himself for what transpired in opposition to the Seahawks. He’s proper in considering that he can play higher, particularly with the Bears protection delivering its finest sport because the dismissal of coach Matt Eberflus. Williams was 16-for-28 passing for 122 yards. He was sacked seven occasions. His interception-free streak ended along with his closing throw. It was certainly one of his worst video games this season and it got here on nationwide tv.
“I didn’t play nicely sufficient,” Williams stated. “I didn’t assist put the staff in a very good place to win, a greater place to win, and that’s what it’s.”
Williams pointed to the “silly” sacks he took in opposition to the Seahawks. He’s been sacked a league-high 67 occasions this season.
“I’ll undoubtedly take the warmth for this one due to among the conditions that I put us in,” he stated.
Caleb Williams didn’t full a single move past 6 yards downfield till the ultimate drive of regulation within the Bears’ TNF loss to the Seahawks.
🔸 Beneath 10 AY: 15/17, 107 yards (+4.5% CPOE)
🔸 Over 10 AY: 1/9, 15 yards, INT (-27.2% CPOE)#SEAvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/4pr4JU2jsm— Subsequent Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 27, 2024
Nevertheless it’s nonetheless unfair to count on the rookie quarterback to beat all the things this calamitous season has supplied. He must play higher, however he’s attempting to drag himself out of a gap he didn’t dig. His first NFL offensive coordinator and head coach have been fired throughout the season, which is one thing the Bears had by no means achieved earlier than this 12 months. The staff can be looking for its sixth head coach beneath McCaskey quickly sufficient.
The “promote the staff” chants Thursday at Soldier Area got here simply 4 days after Detroit Lions followers crammed Soldier Area of their Honolulu blue and watched their staff roll to a 34-17 win. A day later, Packers followers chanted “The Bears nonetheless suck” on “Monday Night time Soccer” as their favourite staff routed the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Area.
Williams was requested in regards to the followers’ chants and frustrations.
“That is my first 12 months,” he stated. “Their frustrations go means longer again than I’ve been right here. My job is to go on the market and win video games. We don’t concentrate on the skin noise. Followers, they’re going to cheer and possibly boo typically. You’ll be able to’t react to that. It’s not one thing we react to. We’ve got a job to do. And typically you don’t achieve this nicely on the job some days and a few days you’re fairly constant, some days you play a fantastic sport.”
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Williams’ finest play Thursday night time was negated by a penalty within the second quarter. On third-and-10 from the Seahawks’ 17, Williams scrambled to his left and fired a landing move to Odunze ultimately zone. Curhan, who performed instead of injured starter Teven Jenkins, was penalized for holding. The Bears settled for a 42-yard discipline purpose by Cairo Santos.
They by no means scored once more.
Williams stays probably the most interesting factor in regards to the Bears, however he desperately wants assistance on and off the sector with teaching. His growth can’t be derailed by this abysmal season.
And the Bears, being the Bears, haven’t damaged him — but.
“Irritating, irritated, however studying, I might say,” Williams stated. “I undoubtedly assume that that is going to be good for me. Enthusiastic about this final sport after which excited in regards to the future.”
(Picture: Michael Reaves / Getty Pictures)
