Rivalries sell stories, but Caleb Williams isn’t buying that narrative. As the Chicago Bears gear up for their Week 9 showdown with the  Cincinnati Bengals, the quarterback found himself in an unusual situation. Williams was recently compared to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. This came up during his weekly press conference when a reporter asked if he had noticed Maye’s impressive season.

“He’s been playing well. The times that I’ve been able to watch them, whether it’s me sitting at home watching them, he’s been playing on time…he believes in his guys. They’re playing efficient football, running the ball well… That’s a good combo to have. Having him go out there, make explosive plays, scramble, things like that. Kudos to him,” Williams admitted. This tells a lot about the QB’s professionalism.

 He didn’t hesitate to credit his draft-class counterpart. While Drake Maye’s name is rapidly rising into early MVP conversations, Williams took the high road, offering praise and perspective that showed maturity beyond his years. But the follow-up question put Williams in a more delicate spot. His response? A classic one.

“How do you, it’s human nature to compare.” The reporter was seen asking. After a brief pause, he dismissed any sense of rivalry and calmly stated,

“I don’t compare. It’s just different situations and different coaches and different years, different developments with different players, different styles.” His response struck a clear note:

While Maye may be dominating headlines with over 2000 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games, Williams is keeping his focus on Chicago’s progress. For all the hype surrounding last year’s quarterback class, the Bears’ quarterback reminded everyone that respect and focus still travel farther than rivalry talk. The timing of the exchange is notable.

The Bears sit at 4-3 and third in the NFC North, facing a pivotal stretch as they prepare for Cincinnati. Williams’ composure amid the media’s attempts to stir competition mirrors his on-field demeanor. He is calm under pressure and is unwilling to get distracted by outside noise.

With Caleb Williams showing maturity beyond his years at quarterback, the Bears are steadily building a foundation rooted in accountability and composure. And now, that approach extends to the defensive side of the ball as a familiar veteran joins the roster.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson reunites with familiar coaches 

C.J. Gardner-Johnson has found yet another home, his third of the 2025 season. The veteran safety, released twice in just over a month, has signed with the Chicago Bears for a fresh start.

The 27-year-old began the year with the Houston Texans, appearing in only three games before being released in September. He then joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad but was cut again after the team acquired safety Alohi Gilman in a trade. Now, he’s headed to Chicago, where several familiar faces await.

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen coached Gardner-Johnson during his first three NFL seasons in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Bears head coach Ben Johnson worked with him in Detroit in 2023 when he was the Lions’ offensive coordinator.

“Coach ‘DA’ gave me a chance when I was a rookie in 2019, and I played with coach Ben in Detroit,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Talking to them on the phone and hearing how much they care about me and understanding as a player that they care for me, it felt like the right spot for me.”Gardner-Johnson comes with a solid resume, including a Super Bowl ring from last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He recorded 59 tackles, six interceptions, and a forced fumble during that championship run. Drafted in the fourth round in 2019 by the Saints, he has played for five teams in seven years: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston, and Baltimore before landing in Chicago.

Williams’ steady leadership and Gardner-Johnson’s veteran presence could be pivotal as the Bears look to climb the NFC North standings. If the chemistry develops the way coaches anticipate, Chicago might soon find itself turning a corner toward long-term contention.