‘This is where we go win the game’ — Caleb Williams’ clutch leadership sealed a late victory for the Bears against Raiders
Massive moment for QB1.
The Chicago Bears late-game heroics against the Las Vegas Raiders was very revealing about the kind of team this group is starting to turn into head coach Ben Johnson, but it’s the kind of football this team already had in them, they just needed the push and encouragement.
Johnson called the Bears’ Week 4 win a “huge character win” for the way the team handled adversity and played for all 60 minutes despite having struggles in all three areas.
That was a true team win and something that was well earned. And the tide for the Bears turned late in the game following a massive final drive from quarterback Caleb Williams.
Bears final drive showed off the X-factor and true leadership from Caleb Williams
Down 24-19 with just over six minutes remaining in the final quarter, the Bears were getting set to take the field on offense, a unit that struggled for the majority of the game leading up to this point. On that drive, the lights couldn’t have been brighter.
“I remember talking to Caleb before he took the field and I said ‘this is what you’re built for’ these are the moments that he thrives in the most,” Johnson told reporters after the win. “That’s really been the story of his life, to be honest with you. I know he came through for us in a big way.”
We saw it during a turbulent rookie season. Williams had that clutch X-factor late in games and it’s something that enticed Johnson to come work with the young quarterback. But, it’s not just the physical talent Williams shows on the field. It’s his leadership ability as well.
“I went into the huddle, looked everybody in the eyes, and (told them) this is the moment. This is where we go win the game,” Williams explained. “Just trying to be composed, trying to be as calm as possible for those guys, and look everybody in the eyes and understand this is our moment.”
Williams proceeded to lead the offense on an 11-play death march that ate up over five minutes and was capped off with a rushing touchdown to take a 25-24 lead with 1:34 remaining. Williams completed four passes on the drive and the unit only had to convert on one third-down attempt.
The moment wasn’t too big for the Bears, and that’s because of the trust and confidence being reinforced into the players by the coaching staff and the belief the players had in themselves that they could get the job done as players.
“I think those (are) moments that we’re born for, that I’m born for. Being able to portray the belief that ‘guys, this is all we got and this is all we need,’” Williams said. “We’re in a position where we’re not in a favorable position. We’re down. It’s all 11 of us on the field and we gotta go do a job. Just the belief, the trust, the hard work that we put in, those are the moments that you wish for. Those are moments that you dream about.”
It takes a special kind of leadership to relay that message down to 10 other players going into a critical situation that can decide the final outcome of the game. And yet, the Bears got it done and a moment like that just means more.
“It’s a confidence builder and a confidence builder for us,” Williams added. “Especially the type of game we had. A grimy game. Being able to come together in the end, it builds a lot of confidence for us… We’re creating something special here and we gotta keep going.”
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Bears ability to come away with a ‘huge character win’ in Week 4 answers another question about Ben Johnson’s new culture
Sometimes it’s not going to be perfect.
