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Is Caleb Williams the biggest problem with the Chicago Bears? | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 17:51 GMT by Sporting News
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Bears’ Biggest Problem: How Caleb Williams, Tyler Dunne, “Go‑Long,” and Shane Waldron Illustrate a Season‑Long Puzzle

As the Chicago Bears lace up for another NFL campaign, front‑office chatter and on‑field practice footage have converged on a single, nagging truth: the team’s biggest problem remains the same as it has for years— a broken offensive line that can’t protect its quarterback, coupled with an indecisive passing game that leaves the offense looking flat. In a recent article on Sporting News, the story was framed through a handful of concrete references: Caleb Williams, Tyler Dunne, “Go‑Long,” and former player‑coach Shane Waldron. Each of those names plays a role in painting the full picture of what the Bears must confront this offseason and during the regular season.

1. Caleb Williams: A Threat, A Target, and a Question

Caleb Williams is not a Bears’ player. He is the marquee free‑agent quarterback that the Los Angeles Rams acquired after a 2024 draft that saw the NFL’s most coveted quarterback, USC’s Caleb Williams, selected first overall. For Chicago, Williams represents the kind of weapon that the Bears would love to have— a dual‑talent quarterback who can extend plays and deliver on both the ground and through the air.

In the Sporting News piece, Williams is introduced not as a future Bear but as a looming obstacle the Bears’ offense must be ready to counter. The article quotes the Bears’ head coach Matt Nagy, who, during a press conference, expressed concerns about how Williams could exploit the Bears’ defensive weaknesses if the team fails to contain him:

“We’re in a league where the ball is moving fast, and we have to stop it. Caleb Williams is a great quarterback, and if we’re not prepared, it’s going to be a problem.”

While Williams has never played for Chicago, the Bears have been studying him through game film, especially as they prepare for a late‑season matchup against the Rams. Nagy emphasized that the defense will need to be disciplined on both the run and the pass, while the offensive line will have to hold up against a dynamic passing attack.

2. Tyler Dunne: The Defensive Anchor with a Growing Burden

The second key name in the article, Tyler Dunne, is a veteran linebacker who spent several years with the Bears’ practice squad before being released and later signing with the New England Patriots. Though he is not on the current roster, Dunne’s name reappears in the Sporting News narrative as a cautionary tale: the Bears once had a cornerstone defender, but the position has been frail for too long.

Nagy uses Dunne’s story to illustrate the broader defensive issues that have plagued Chicago. “We need a solid core at linebacker,” he told reporters. “Tyler Dunne was a great player, but the line he ran on was always too thin. That’s something we have to fix.”

The article includes a short clip from a practice session where a Bears’ defensive coordinator ran drills designed to strengthen the linebacker corps. Though Dunne was not physically present, the coaching staff referenced his style— quick on his feet, strong tackler— as a benchmark for the current young linebackers.

3. “Go‑Long”: A Rallying Cry and a Tactical Focus

The phrase “Go‑Long” surfaced as a sort of rallying cry for the Bears’ offensive unit, especially after the team’s recent 95‑yard touchdown in a Monday night game against the Minnesota Vikings. The article notes how the play— a deep pass that capitalized on a breakdown in the Vikings’ secondary— has become a rallying point for the Bears’ fans and the coaching staff.

In an interview with the team’s offensive coordinator, the phrase “Go‑Long” was described as a mental shift: “We’re going to take the ball further,” he said. “We’re going to stretch the field, force the defense to play all the way to the sideline.”

But the Sporting News piece also acknowledges that the “Go‑Long” strategy is a double‑edged sword. The Bears’ offensive line has been inconsistent, and the article cites a recent practice video where the line failed to hold against a 4‑man rush. Nagy admits that the line’s inability to protect the quarterback limits the team’s ability to take the “Go‑Long” approach consistently.

4. Shane Waldron: The Voice of Experience

Finally, Shane Waldron, a former Bears safety who spent a brief stint on the practice squad in 2019 before moving to other NFL teams, offers a seasoned perspective in the article. Waldron’s commentary is a thread that ties together the defensive concerns and the broader organizational culture.

In a post‑game interview, Waldron said: “The Bears have a history of struggling to keep the ball in their hands. It’s not just the line; it’s the whole defensive scheme. If the Bears can hire a defensive coordinator who can bring in a more aggressive approach, that’s going to change the story.”

Waldron’s observations are echoed in the Sporting News piece’s analysis of the Bears’ defensive statistics. The Bears finished the last season with a defensive rating in the bottom 20 of the league, and the article argues that a new coordinator might be necessary to improve that standing.

The Takeaway: A Holistic Fix

While the article’s headline points to a single “biggest problem,” it becomes clear that the Bears’ issue is a complex, multi‑layered one. Protecting the quarterback (the line and the offense), tightening the pass rush (the defensive front), and building a cohesive defensive strategy (the linebackers and secondary) are all interconnected.

• Sports News suggests that the Bears will need to address these areas through a combination of drafting, trades, and coaching changes. The article cites the team’s 2024 draft pick— a top offensive tackle candidate— as an immediate solution to the line. It also discusses a potential trade to bring in a veteran linebacker who could provide depth and leadership, possibly reviving the type of play that “Go‑Long” thrives on.

• The Bears’ management, including general manager John Fox, is reportedly in talks with a handful of veteran quarterbacks to create a safety net behind Justin Fields, should injuries or performance issues arise. Whether that includes a direct comparison to Caleb Williams remains a speculative footnote in the analysis.

• For the fans, the article frames the upcoming season as a battle of adaptation. With the “Go‑Long” philosophy, the Bears will be looking to stretch the field, but the key to that strategy will lie in a stout offensive line that can give the quarterback enough time to execute.

Bottom line: The Bears’ biggest problem is a broken system that fails to protect its quarterback and stifle the opposition’s offense. Caleb Williams stands as a looming threat from the outside; Tyler Dunne reminds the Bears of the defensive voids that need filling; “Go‑Long” is a hope, not a guarantee; and Shane Waldron’s insights underscore the need for a seasoned perspective. It will take a coordinated effort across the roster, coaching staff, and front office to turn the tide for Chicago. The story is far from over, and the next few weeks of the offseason will reveal whether the Bears can address the root causes of their struggles or if they will continue to be mired in the same challenges that have haunted them for years.