CHICAGO — The NFL's scoring record is safe. Just finishing above .500 might now be a big ask for the Chicago Bears this season.
The one thing the Bears — heck, anyone not a fan of an NFC North team — didn't want to see was Caleb Williams in agonizing pain, unable to put weight on his right leg as he was being helped off the field. And, a few minutes later, being carted off the field with a towel covering his head.
Williams' injury, and its severity, wasn't immediately known. But anytime your franchise quarterback leaves the field on a cart, it doesn't signal good news. Ben Johnson's audacious goal, the Bears hopes, the city of Chicago's mood — all of it is seemingly gone.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 20, 2026
The Bears overachieved last season, Johnson's
first as Chicago's head coach. But it was clear it was not a one-off. Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, had made great strides, quieting his happy feet, making better reads and getting better protection. With a full off-season with Johnson, there was every reason to believe this season was going to be even better.
So much so Johnson declared the Bears were going after the NFL's single-season scoring record. Arrogant? Maybe. Bold? Absolutely. When Williams and Chicago hung 59 points on Carolina in Week 1, though, it didn't look so far-fetched.
This week was to be one of the biggest tests, with the Minnesota Vikings and defensive guru Brian Flores coming to town. Rainy conditions and penalties made it more of a slopfest than anything, but Williams was beginning to heat up in the fourth quarter. There was a 32-yard connection with D'Andre Swift. A 15-yard toss to Rome Odunze. A couple of yardage-chewing runs by Kyle Monangai, and the Bears were suddenly at the Minnesota 6 midway through the fourth quarter.
When Williams took off running, he had green grass in front of him and the go-ahead touchdown looked like a certainty. But he seemed to seize up before falling, untouched, to the ground and writhing in pain. The team later announced Williams' injured his hamstring. Johnson said after the game that he couldn't estimate the severity of the injury, but he was glad it was a knee injury.
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent came in for Williams and made a good effort, getting the Bears to the Minnesota 12 before stalling. But the 9-3 loss to Minnesota hardly seems to matter. If Williams is out for the season, or even an extended period of time, the Bears have lost much, much more.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago Bears might have lost more than one game with Caleb Williams injury | Opinion
