Matt Eberflus might be the one taking the heat for the Bears’ struggles, but let’s be real—Caleb Williams had his own role in the Lions’ loss. It all boiled down to one (last one) crucial play. “I ended up changing the play,” Williams explained about a late-game decision. “We had 13 seconds, no time… But in that situation, you make a call, take a shot.”

Unfortunately, that shot soared over Rome Odunze’s head, sealing and curtains… Williams owned up to the misfire. But it’s too little too late. That miss came with seismic consequences—Eberflus was shown the door. Fast forward to just hours later the news broke, and Williams is not exactly wallowing in Chicago’s woes.

The QB was back at his old stomping grounds in the Coliseum, soaking in some college football vibes. USC (yup, his college team) was gearing up for its clash with Notre Dame, and Williams looked right at home. In a pregame message to fans, he said, “Hey everybody, it’s Caleb Williams here. We’re at the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. I can’t wait for kickoff. I’ve got a teammate coming in town, and I hope we come out with a win just so I can clown him.”

Oh, and the day wasn’t just about the game—it was personal. USC was retiring jersey No. 13, the number Williams made iconic during his college days. So, it was a big day in more aspects than one. But this is where the attention is peeled on him. Why? While the Bears’ season remains a dumpster fire, Williams found a reason to smile (at the expense of a fired HC and whatnot), even if it’s back where his football journey began.

However, there’s no time to dwell on the past success, especially with postseason stakes hanging on these last few games’ balance. Tick-tock, tick-tock… Now, Williams has a chance to come out clutch and prove that he was taking his time as a rookie…nothing else.

Caleb Williams has a shot at redemption under Thomas Brown

It has not been long since Caleb Williams said: “Yeah, obviously, not having somebody jump in during halfway through the season … it would’ve helped” But there’s nothing to read in-between the lines here. That was Williams being as direct and candid as possible while talking about the chaotic coaching carousel he’s endured this season. But guess what? Things might finally be settling down.

Since Thomas Brown took over play-calling duties, the rookie quarterback has been putting up numbers that scream “first overall pick.” Against the Vikings, Williams lit it up, completing 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards, two touchdowns, and a pristine 103.1 passer rating. That’s more like it, right?

Before Brown’s arrival, it was rough out there. Call it a literal baptism by fire! Williams was averaging just 156 passing yards per game and hadn’t thrown a single touchdown during a brutal three-game skid. Then came the Waldron-to-Brown switch. It was like swapping out a busted playbook. Over the next stretch, Williams averaged 285.5 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns per game. Even in the loss to Detroit, he threw for 256 yards and two TDs. Sure, the Bears didn’t win, but Williams looked like the guy (excluding the last play, where he spilled water on his own art).

Now, Brown’s taking the headset to the sidelines after calling plays from the booth. Will the new vantage point change anything? Maybe. Adjusting to trusting his staff upstairs will take time. But according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, one thing’s staying the same: Brown’s still calling the shots for the offense. That’s good news for Williams, who’s finally finding some rhythm.

With five games left, Brown’s got a lot on his plate—keeping Williams rolling, rallying the locker room, and making his case for a permanent gig. It’s a tall order, but the early signs? Promising.