What Caleb Williams recently said about the Green Bay Packers’ fans caused a stir within the organization. The second-year quarterback won five regular-season games in 2024, including a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4 and a 24-22 win against the Packers in Week 18, both playoff teams.
The win against the Packers ended a 10-game losing streak in the league and an 11-game, seven-year losing streak against their archrivals. Williams recorded 21 completions on 29 pass attempts, 148 yards and one touchdown to lead the Bears in the Jan. 5 game.
That game was a busy one for the former USC Trojans star. Williams had to scrap for that win, and he also had to deal with negative comments by home fans. In June, during Fanatics Fest, Williams said that he had the most negative experience with fans during that season finale.
“Probably Green Bay,” Williams said, via Pro Football Talk. “I mean, they suck. After the game, after we won at Lambeau — 1-0 at Lambeau — we tried to do the Lambeau Leap, tried to jump into the crowd where our fans were. [Packers fans] just started throwing everything at you, push you off. The Lambeau Leap, it’s a real leap. It’s not a little baby jump, you actually have to high jump, basically. And they’re pushing you, pushing your face.”
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) cools off during minicamp at Halas Hall.Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Almost a month later, Packers OT Rasheed Walker was asked about Williams’ remarks. The veteran joined NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Tuesday, where he had some words about Williams and the Bears’ lack of success, warning the player about facing a different team next time they clash on the field.
“Hey, man, they got lucky,” Walker said, which made the crew burst into laughter. “You know what I’m saying? Make the playoffs. That’s all I got to say. They got lucky. Make the playoffs, and we’re going to see them again this year and we’re gonna remember he said that.”
After a disappointing rookie season, Williams is set to play under Ben Johnson, a known face from his time with the Detroit Lions. The talented playmaker didn’t have the best experience under Matt Eberflus and Thomas Brown, but Johnson is expected to put him and his team in a solid position to compete.
The NFC North is a difficult division, with three teams having a serious chance to advance to the playoffs. Time will tell if the Bears can join or take one of them out of the postseason race.