Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams Takes Blame for Commanders Loss: 'We Will Play Better'

The Chicago Bears fell to the Washington Commanders 18-15 on Sunday when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels heaved a Hail Mary at the buzzer that was caught by Noah Brown. Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams took ownership for the loss, pointing to his poor play in the first play.

Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears ended up on the wrong side of one of the most exhilarating finishes in recent NFL history when Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed a 52-yard Hail Mary to Noah Brown as time expired and to give them a 18-15 victory. Former USC Trojans signal-caller Caleb Williams was considerably frustrated on the sideline after the play but acknowledged his performance prior to the game-winner could have prevented the final outcome. 

“Obviously, right in that moment, you’re angry,” Williams said. “You’re furious that you just lost and you lost that way. It’s a tough way to lose. But like I said, there’s a sense of accountability that I have to take. I didn’t play well in the first half.”

Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Williams struggled in the first half, completing 3 of 8 passes for a season low 33 yards and the Bears went into halftime with zero points on the board. The rhythm and comfortability Williams had developed for three weeks before the Bears bye week had disappeared. Four of their first five possessions ended in a punt and the only other drive ended with a turnover on downs when Williams’ pass to DJ Moore on fourth-and-1 went for no gain.

“First half, I didn’t play necessarily the way that I wanted to,” Williams said. “I think the ability to snap and start getting things going late in the game, being down that much, and having so many negative drives or stalled drives and things like that, I think is a positive.”

The second half started the same way, two drives that netted just 13 yards, before running D’Andre Swift jump started the Chicago offense with a 56-yard touchdown. Trailing 12-7, Williams engineered an 84-yard drive early in the fourth quarter, but the drive ultimately failed when they offensive coordinator Shane Waldron decided to hand the ball off to an offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr. that was fumbled on the 1-yard line. Waldron had using Kramer as the fullback on the goal line in previous games, but that situation was the first time he was

The No. 1 overall pick was able to lead the Bears on a 10-play drive down the field in the final minutes of regulation that was capped off by a 1-yard run by Roschon Johnson with 25 seconds remaining. Williams completed 6 of 8 passes for 95 yards on the Bears final two drives.

Chicago looked in command, that was until Daniels’ heave to the end zone at the buzzer. Daniels claimed round one of what could be the first of many meetings between the No. 1 and No. 2 picks of the 2024 NFL draft.

Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) catches a Hail Mary pass that was tipped with no time left to beat the Chicago Bears at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images

“I could have played better, we could have played better on offense throughout the whole game to put ourselves in better position,” Williams said after the game. “And we will.”

The loss was heartbreaking and every game in a tight NFC North race is critical, but Williams knows the team has to shift all of its focus to their next game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. A game that features two former Heisman trophy winners under coach Lincoln Riley.

“We have to control what we control, control everything interior in here, we have to go out here and focus on winning this game that we have here,” Williams said. “We had our 24-hour period to feel how we felt and things like that but we gotta move on. “

MORE: USC Trojans' Lincoln Riley Addresses Controversial Decision to Close Practices from Media

MORE: USC Trojans in Danger of Losing Four-Star Recruit Shamar Arnoux, Flip to Miami? 

MORE: USC Trojans Most Talented Unranked Team in the Country?

MORE: USC Trojans' Walker Lyons Announces Relationship With Dancer Rylee Arnold

MORE: USC Trojans Football: Lincoln Riley Closes Practice To Media For Remainder Of Season 

MORE: USC Trojans' Shockingly-Empty Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vs. Rutgers

MORE: USC Trojans Offense Dominates Rutgers: 'Sharp, Aggressive' Quarterback Miller Moss

MORE: USC Trojans, Washington Huskies Potential Schedule Snafu With L.A. Dodgers