Photo by Nikhil Behal for the Barber’s Chair Network
Imagine this: you're on the couch, decked out in your favorite Bears jersey, drink in hand, food spread out in front of you. The TV is tuned to Fox 32 Chicago, and you're watching the Bears struggle offensively. Yet, the defense has staged an impressive comeback from three scores down, and victory is within reach. But, to your surprise, it’s not 2006—it’s 2024, and some things never change. The Bears' defense mirrored teams of old and clamped down on the Tennessee Titans, holding them scoreless in the second half after being gashed by their run game early on. For the Titans, all gears were clicking in the first half: Will Levis showed flashes of brilliance and the run game gashed last year’s top ranked rush defense for over 100 yards.
The second half marked a turning point for the Bears as Levis, now in his second year, fell back into familiar mistakes, throwing two critical interceptions, including a game-sealing pick-six. While the defense “dusted off” the cobwebs and returned to its late 2024 form, on offense, Caleb Williams was far from electric, looking every bit the rookie adjusting to the professional level. His inexperience showed through out-of-sync throws, batted balls, and predictable reads. Still, there’s something this offense has that previous Bears teams lacked—real potential for growth.
Screenshot by Fox 32 Chicago
Consider Williams' stat line: 14-of-29 for 93 yards. One can imagine how different it could’ve looked had Williams connected on two open deep throws to Keenan Allen and DeAndre Carter, both with touchdown potential. Suddenly, you’re looking at 16-for-29, two touchdowns, and over 150 yards—a performance most would consider strong for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Bears fans can recall past teams struggling to build offensive cohesion with lackluster talent across the line of scrimmage. This team, however, shows far more promise, and Williams' comments reflect that. After the game, I got a chance to ask how he would assess the offense’s performance today and he noted that “little things” disrupted the offense’s flow, and given the missed opportunities, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Less batted balls and throwing more with rhythm and timing and this becomes a two or three score win. This should be a sign of encouragement for Bears fans as some audibly groaned during the stagnant offensive performance.
Rookie QB Caleb Williams spoke about how the “little things will turn this offense around
Special teams played a crucial role in boosting the Bears today. Cairo Santos was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, and punter Tory Taylor unleashed booming kicks that flipped the field in favor of the offense. But the true standout was returner DeAndre Carter, whose field-flipping returns set the stage for multiple scoring opportunities. However, questions remain about third-year player Velus Jones Jr., who continued to struggle in the return game, muffing a punt that gave the Titans prime field position for an early score. Despite some offensive growing pains and lingering questions, the Bears' 24-17 victory was powered by a relentless defensive effort. Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor, who was signed on August 23rd, made an immediate impact with two sacks and constant pressure on Will Levis. Head coach Matt Eberflus described Taylor in one word: “energy.” The stat sheet doesn’t fully capture his effect, as his constant disruption forced Levis into key mistakes.
This Bears defense has room to grow, but credit goes to GM Ryan Poles for assembling a unit that bends but doesn’t break. Which brings us back to the elephant in the room: the offense. This game made one thing clear—the defense will carry the team early in the season. While the mistakes on offense were fixable, expecting a swift turnaround in the next week or two is unrealistic. Caleb Williams is a rookie, and finding rhythm and consistency takes time. But there’s genuine hope for the offense, grounded in the talent surrounding him. With veterans at every skill position and play-caller Shane Waldron, who delivered a solid game plan despite some crowd frustrations, the potential is there for growth.
So, while this article may have initially drawn parallels to past years, this Bears team has the chance to break the mold. Bears fans might finally see a team that doesn’t just rely on a stout defense—but can win in all phases of the game. They’ll just have to be patient.
