Former USC Trojans star and current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams shared that USC head coach Lincoln Riley reached out with advice before Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The rookie quarterback responded with two touchdowns in the game.
“Lincoln Riley called me the other day just to check in and talk,” Williams explained. “He reminded me of something he told me during my freshman year when I wasn’t in the position I wanted to be in and wasn’t starting. He simply said, ‘Keep going.’ At the time, I didn’t fully understand those two words or find them satisfying—I wanted more guidance. But now, I still carry that message with me every day.”
Ahead of the Packers game, the Bears’ offense had been struggling to find the end zone. In response, head coach Matt Eberflus fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and promoted Thomas Brown to the role. Sensing the adversity his former quarterback was facing, Riley stepped in to provide encouragement, continuing to mentor Williams.
The Bears trailed 20-19 late in the game when Williams led a two-minute drill that put Chicago in position for a potential game-winning field goal. However, Cairo Santos’ attempt was blocked, sealing a 20-19 victory for Green Bay.
“All we can do is keep going,” Williams said after the game.
The Bears are now on a four-game losing streak, dating back to Week 9’s heartbreaking loss to the Washington Commanders on a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass by quarterback Jayden Daniels, which ended 18-15. Despite the struggles, Williams reaffirmed his faith in his teammates.
“I’d put those guys back on the field and do it all over again if needed. I believe in this team,” he said.
While the loss was disappointing, Williams showed progress under the new offensive coordinator, completing 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards and adding 70 rushing yards on nine carries.
The game marked Chicago’s first divisional matchup of the season. With the NFC North led by the Detroit Lions (9-1), Minnesota Vikings (8-2), and Green Bay Packers (7-3), the Bears face one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules.
Williams and the Bears will aim to end their losing streak on Sunday, Nov. 24, when they face the Vikings.
