The Bears secured a 24-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Despite a shaky performance, they managed to pull off the win even as the offense struggled. Here are my three big takeaways from their Week 1 comeback.
One of the key takeaways from this win happened off the field—on the sidelines and in the locker room. At no point did the Bears panic. Even at halftime, they believed in themselves. Every player stayed positive and supported each other. Head coach Matt Eberflus and his revamped staff showed they could make adjustments, and they certainly delivered in the second half. Though it’s only Week 1, this 1-0 start feels different. After the game, Jaylon Johnson walked behind Caleb Williams during his interview and said, “We got you,” showcasing the team’s unity. This resilience isn’t something you see in every NFL team. It’s a strong start and a testament to the culture this new regime has built over the past three years.
The Bears defense dominated the second half, shutting out the Titans and allowing zero points. Their strong performance, along with a crucial special teams play—a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Johnathan Owens—kept the Bears in the game. After that, the defense smelled blood and completely rattled Titans QB Will Levis. This unit confirmed that the high expectations from practice and training camp were justified. Calling the Bears a Super Bowl-caliber defense after Week 1 might seem like an overreaction, but it feels fitting based on their performance. Their next big test comes on Sunday Night Football, when they’ll face the Houston Texans and star QB C.J. Stroud, a team the Bears are aiming to emulate.
Caleb Williams had a tough NFL debut, but the silver lining is that things can only improve from here. The Bears offensive struggles weren’t solely his fault, but it’s clear that Williams will need time to find his rhythm. Whether it takes four or even eight games, the team has built a solid foundation that can support a rookie quarterback as he grows. After the game, Williams took responsibility, praising his teammates for their perseverance while acknowledging he needs to improve—and promising that he will.
The rookie quarterback may need more time to develop, but I believe in him and think this Bears team will become very dangerous as the season goes on.
