Quarterback has long been the core issue for the Chicago Bears. Most chalk it up to bad evaluations mixed with bad coaching. This is true to some extent. However, there is another element that isn’t talked about enough: health. Avoiding injuries has been something Bears quarterbacks haven’t managed for many years. In fact, since 1994 only three players at the position have managed to start every game in a season. Erik Kramer did it in 1995, Rex Grossman did it in 2006, and Jay Cutler did it in 2009. In the 15 years since nobody has done it. That is about to change. If Caleb Williams suits up on Sunday in Green Bay, he will have started all 17 games this season, finally breaking the streak.
What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is the hell he’s had to endure to reach it. Williams has been sacked 67 times this season, a single-season Bears record. Their offensive line is a complete mess. Nobody would’ve blamed Williams for taking a week off to rest and heal up. He wouldn’t hear of it, suiting up every week. That kind of toughness and grit is exactly what this franchise needs.
People should never underestimate the value of that. Health has been a constant issue for this team across most of the roster. Yet nothing hurts more than losing the quarterback, even if it’s only for a week. It can often derail momentum. The Bears know this well. In 2012, after Cutler got hurt, the Bears were 7-2. After losing the game without him, they went 3-3 down the stretch and missed the playoffs with the offense struggling. It happened again in 2019. Mitch Trubisky started 3-1 and got hurt. Chicago lost in London and their next three when he got back. Never underestimate the value of having your quarterback every week. Caleb Williams has shown he can take the hits.
