Caleb Williams is not afraid. He is not intimidated. That much we know of the Chicago Bears’ no. 1 draft pick and overall top NFL selection. The former USC quarterback standout had impressed observers throughout his college run with a fearless demeanor and extreme risk-taking confidence.
So, should we be the least bit surprised that the blue chip 22-year-old is diving right into a Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry that has burned red hot for over a century?
Caleb Williams’ Declaration of War
Over the weekend, Williams was spotted at the Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville along with fellow Bears no. 1 draft pick (no. 9 overall), wide receiver Rome Odunze, bonding with Chicago locals over a nice, enthusiastic “Green Bay Sucks” chant and, clearly, having a good time with it.
The viral bonding moment– surely a declaration of war in the eyes of many Packers fans, who’ve had bragging rights over the Bears for a very long time (more on that later)– was captured on Instagram and then shared with the world via Twitter/X by Barstool Sports.
That has to make you feel good as a Bears fan, right? Watching the franchise’s two top young prospects taking it to the team’s hated rival, showing no fear or even the slightest hint of being intimidated in their quest to force a turnaround in their team’s fortunes.
Bears-Packers, The Current Reality
But those Bears fans who aren’t, perhaps, slightly beer-buzzed at the Old Crow Smokehouse and psyched to be in the presence of Williams and Odunze, may also wince a little at the rookies’ bravado.
After all, Chicago has lost their last ten games to the Packers and is an appallingly feeble 2-18 in their last twenty against Green Bay. Last season, the Packers topped the Bears 38-20 in the opening game of the campaign in Soldier Field and then beat them 17-9 in the final game of the season at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are also favored to beat the Bears both times they meet this coming season (-112 in Chicago, November 17 and -170 in Green Bay, January 5).
Williams’ and Odunze’s informal declaration of war has already piqued the interest of Packers fans and media supporters, who are taking a “yeah, right” attitude about all of this– and maybe appropriately so.
Packers Fans on the Attack
In a FanSided piece bearing the provocative title, “Caleb Williams About to Look Really Ridiculous After Shot at Packers,” writer Jason Schandl warns that Williams and Odunze “are about to learn the hard way that it takes a competitive series to make a true rivalry” and that it’s “going to be embarrassing [for the two rookies] when they go 0-2 against a team that ‘sucks’ this season.”
And although Schandl admits that this Bears team is significantly improved over last year’s, he points out that Williams and Odunze have yet to take one NFL snap and that their perceived arrogance is going to lead to more satisfying Packers victories this coming season. Green Bay, by they way, will also be lead by a young quarterback in Jordan Love and a young, energetic supporting crew.
“Fans in Chicago are acting like rookies never turn into draft busts and that Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are already Pro Bowlers. They may be fan favorites, but they should play at least one game against the Packers before trying to stoke the flames of this rivalry,” Schandl blasts.
“It’s going to be that much sweeter when Green Bay sweeps them again.”
Green Bay Packer fandom probably stands in unanimous agreement with the FanSided scribe.
Williams and Odunze have dug themselves into a bit of a hole with this public call out. But real winners never lack confidence and never shy away from putting their owns backs against the wall in pursuit of victory. Time will tell how all this plays out.
