Sports
James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on Upcoming Bears-Packers Game, Caleb Williams Injury
One of Chicago’s oldest rivalries is back this Sunday as the Bears face off against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It’s their first meeting since a nail-biting playoff game last season.
This time, the Bears are missing their leading man as quarterback Caleb Williams is out due to a hamstring strain in Week 2’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. The team is now expected to start three different quarterbacks in four weeks.
Despite the roster switch-up, fans are grabbing their cheese graters in hopes the Bears can secure their third straight win against their archrivals.
James “Big Cat” Williams, an offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears from 1991-2002, joined “Chicago Tonight” to share his insights on what Sunday’s rivalry game might have in store.
On the start of the season:
The Bears are 3-1 in the first four games this season. This includes the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, which was the highest scoring season opener in NFL history and the fourth-most points in Bears history.
“It’s starting off well. I think they’re looking a little better than everyone thought they were gonna do to start off the season. You kinda thought that they were gonna come out the gates a little slower and they exploded out of the gates. So, it’s been fun to watch. It’s very interesting, but I don’t think they’re the ‘Bad News Bears’ anymore.”
On the hype around Sunday’s matchup against the Packers:
“It’s a big week. There’s a lot of excitement. It is gonna be an intense atmosphere up at Lambeau Field. They hate it when the Bears come in, you’ll know it from the bus ride in on the way into the stadium. They do not like you, and your job is to go up there, put your foot on their throat and make them like it.”
On whether Caleb Williams still has a chance at MVP:
“It starts to diminish a little bit, but with the way Caleb plays and as flashy as he is and his off-time throws and the big play capability that he has, it’s still a shot. I mean, it’s a long shot, but it’s a shot.”
On starting Bagent over Keenum:
Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he will be starting backup quarterback Tyson Bagent in Sunday’s matchup against the Packers. It will be his first start as quarterback this season, despite playing the majority of last week’s game against the New York Jets. Johnson started other backup quarterback Case Keenum against the Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I think it was a great story (starting) Case Keenum the week after Caleb got hurt, but I understand why Bagent is in there. He is your backup quarterback. If something happens to Bagent then you know that you have Keenum in there to be a confident backup to the backup. But Bagent is the guy that’s supposed to be in there right now I think.”
On what the Bears need to do to ensure a win:
“They need to start fast. They need to come out, if they get the ball, if they get the kickoff, they need to take that first drive down, put it in the end zone. No questions about it. No penalties, let’s stay away from the penalties. You know the offsides, the holding penalties, all the little penalties, all the little knickknack things that they’ve been going through. Cancel those things out, and it should be a smooth little road for Green Bay.”
On the final score:
“I’m going 27-14, Bears.”
