(670 The Score) Though the Bears have little at stake in their season finale, they won’t rest rookie quarterback Caleb Williams or any key starters.
No healthy Bears players will be held out of Chicago's game at Green Bay on Sunday, interim head coach Thomas Brown said. That includes the 23-year-old Williams, who has started all 16 games while being sacked an NFL-high 67 times this season.
“That’s never come up or been talked about at all,” Brown told reporters Monday at Halas Hall. “Obviously, part of the overall evolution of him being his best and continuing to help him grow and be at his best week in and week out, and part is going to protect himself and also be better around him from a protection standpoint. But there was no thought into that from myself or communication from Ryan (Poles).
“There’s an opportunity that’s not guaranteed. And I take it very seriously, because opportunities are not guaranteed. One thing I hate more than anything is wasted time, because when time is gone, you don’t get it back. So, I’m going to maximize every opportunity I have. It will be the same as far as this team and this game on Sunday.”
The rookie Williams has thrown for 3,393 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. The 67 sacks he has taken are the fourth-most of any quarterback in NFL history. Despite that, Williams has avoided injury this season.
The Bears (4-12) and Packers (11-5) will kick off at noon CT on Sunday from Lambeau Field. The Bears were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago. The result of their game Sunday will factor into their draft slot. Entering Week 18, the Bears hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Packers have clinched a playoff berth and are currently seeded seventh in the NFC. They will earn the sixth seed if they win and the Commanders lose their regular-season finale against the Cowboys.