Last year at this time, I was breaking down seven sacks that the Chicago Bears allowed to the Seattle Seahawks, which was the third time that I had to break down a seven-sack game in 2024. That wasn’t even Chicago’s worst pass protection performance, because in Week 10, they allowed nine sacks to the New England Patriots.
Caleb Williams was sacked in every game last season, leading to a franchise worst 68, but this year he’s only been sacked 23 times with one game to go.
On Sunday night in San Francisco,
the Bears didn’t allow a sack for a second consecutive game. That’s something I’ve never experienced since writing this column, and it’s the first time the Bears have done it since 2005 (Kyle Orton’s rookie year).
With no sacks to break down, I could coast into the New Year, but like last week, let’s take a closer look at a play from the 49ers game.
This was a critical fourth-and-five with the Bears trailing 28 to 35. The Bears came out in 12 personnel, with both tight ends split out to the left, and both receivers split out to the right. They called a six-man pass protection with running back D’Andre Swift responsible for he middle linebacker if he blitzed, and quarterback Caleb Williams responsible in case the 49ers blitzed off either edge.
The ‘Niners did send a corner blitz off the Bears’ right side, but with a quick pass play called, it didn’t even phase Caleb.
Cole Kmet motioned from the far left, then cleared out for Colston Loveland’s slant behind it.
Even though the 49ers dropped a defensive lineman into coverage, Williams knew he’d have a window to zip a pass to Loveland. First down, Bears.
Here’s the Sackwatch tally after sixteen games.
Caleb Williams – 8
Sacks Happen – 3.5
Jonah Jackson – 2.5
Braxton Jones – 2
Drew Dalman – 2
Ozzy Trapillo – 2
Theo Benedet – 1.5
Darnell Wright – 1.5
As I’ve often said, the breakdowns are based on my best guesses about each play. Only the Bears know the specifics and where the blame truly lies for each sack allowed.
Here are Chicago’s historical total sacks allowed through 16 games (in the Sackwatch era).
2010 – 56 Mike Martz
2011 – 49 Mike Martz
2012 – 45 Mike Tice
2013 – 30 Marc Trestman
2014 – 41 Marc Trestman
2015 – 33 Adam Gase
2016 – 27 Dowell Loggains
2017 – 39 Dowell Loggains
2018 – 33 Matt Nagy
2019 – 45 Matt Nagy
2020 – 36 Matt Nagy
2021 – 51 Nagy/Lazor
2022 – 57 Luke Getsy
2023 – 45 Luke Getsy
2024 – 67 Total (Waldron 38 in 9 games / Brown 29 in 7 games)
2025 – 23 Johnson
Thanks to all of you guys who check out Sackwatch each week!
