### Eberflus Weighs Offensive Changes for Bears but Stands Firm on Rookie QB Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is contemplating making adjustments to address the team's faltering offense, but clarified that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will continue as the starter. "Caleb is our starter," Eberflus reiterated, emphasizing his confidence in the young quarterback despite recent disappointments on the field.

After a tough 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots marked their third consecutive defeat, Eberflus acknowledged that all other aspects of the offense were subject to review. Among the potential changes, the role of the offensive playcaller stands out. Just a week ago, Eberflus expressed confidence that Shane Waldron would remain the offensive coordinator following a 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. However, the team’s struggles against the Patriots might prompt a reconsideration.

The Bears' offense has been notably ineffective, with the team failing to score a touchdown in two consecutive games. They’ve gone 23 offensive drives without reaching the end zone, the longest active streak in the NFL. The last time the Bears scored a touchdown was in Week 8, when Roschon Johnson secured a 1-yard score during a last-second Hail Mary in a narrow 18-15 loss to Washington.

Williams, who was the first overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, has been under significant pressure, being sacked nine times by the Patriots, bringing his three-game total to 18. His three highest-pressure-percentage games of his career have occurred during this losing streak.

In their recent game against the Patriots, Williams completed 16 out of 30 passes for 120 yards, marking his lowest passing yardage since his debut game where he threw for 93 yards against the Titans. The offense also struggled mightily on third downs, converting only 1 of 14 attempts, the team’s poorest performance in this regard since 2012.

Williams is backed up by veteran quarterback Tyson Bagent. The decision to reconsider Waldron’s role comes after he was appointed in January 2024 subsequent to the firing of former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who was dismissed following two seasons with the Bears. Getsy later joined the Raiders but was released last week amid a 2-7 season start.

Waldron, who served as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2021 to 2023, was instrumental in quarterback Geno Smith's career revival in 2022, when Smith was named the league's Comeback Player of the Year. Despite these credentials, the Bears' offensive woes may necessitate a new approach to their playcalling.