HOUSTON (AP) — Caleb Williams and the Chicago offense relied on defensive and special-teams scoring to secure a victory against Tennessee in their season opener last week. However, the No. 1 overall pick from this year’s draft faced a tougher challenge on Sunday night against the Houston Texans.
Williams completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards, throwing two interceptions in a 19-13 defeat, and he was sacked seven times.
When asked what frustrated him the most about the game, Williams said, “Not coming away with the win, not executing as a team when it mattered. Throwing two interceptions isn’t something I typically do. I’m frustrated that we didn’t execute properly, but we’ll improve. I’m still learning, and there’s a long season ahead.”
This loss followed a week where the Bears struggled offensively, failing to score a touchdown but rallying back from a 17-point deficit for a 24-17 win, thanks to a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and an interception returned for another score.
Against Houston, Williams faced significant pressure throughout the game. The Bears did score their first offensive touchdown of the season just before halftime, with Khalil Herbert running in a 2-yard touchdown to narrow the score to 13-10. However, they managed only a field goal afterward, and both of Williams’ interceptions came in the second half, allowing Houston to hold on for the victory.
“He evaded the rush a few times, but he needs to be careful with the ball out there,” coach Matt Eberflus noted, calling it a valuable learning experience for Williams.
While Williams has been a focal point of criticism for Chicago’s offensive challenges, Eberflus emphasized the need for the entire team to support him. He expressed disappointment that the team could only muster 71 rushing yards. “Protection is a collective effort—it involves the tight ends, offensive line, running backs, and quarterback. We need to improve our running game; it’s crucial for a young quarterback,” he said.
After the game, Williams spoke with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in last year’s draft, who offered encouragement. Stroud shared, “I told him that everything that got him here will help him in the long run. Don’t let tough times bring you down. It won’t be easy, but he was picked No. 1 for a reason—because people believe in him. I’m confident he’ll improve as the season progresses.”
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