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Carmen Vitali
NFC North Reporter
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, clad in his orange quarterback jersey, breaks the huddle on a Tuesday morning. It’s preseason and training camp is in full swing, with fans lining the field at Halas Hall to catch their first glimpse of the league’s No. 1 overall pick.
To say Bears fans are excited for the coming season would be an understatement.
Williams fires underneath to wide receiver Rome Odunze in a 7-on-7 period. A play later, the rookie QB hits wide receiver DJ Moore down the sideline for a long touchdown.
Cheers ring out among the crowd. The new-look Bears are here.
As I watch, I can’t help but think: How did we get here? All this offensive firepower and the best roster Chicago has put together in years finally warrants the level of excitement surrounding the team.
It also made me think that none of this might have happened if it hadn’t been for one singular play call.
The trajectory of the Chicago Bears changed forever on Jan. 8, 2023.
* * * * *
After not one but two fourth-down conversions, one on fourth-and-12 and the next on fourth-and-20, the Houston Texans found themselves down 31-30 to the Indianapolis Colts at their place. The 44-yard desperation heave from Texans quarterback Davis Mills on fourth-and-20 sailed right through the hands of a Colts defender and right into the chest of Houston wide receiver Jordan Akins, waiting in the end zone.
It was Week 18. Lose this game to their divisional opponents and the Texans would be guaranteed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Win, and they’d relinquish the top spot to the Chicago Bears.
After the miracle touchdown, embattled Houston head coach Lovie Smith held up two fingers on the sideline.
The Texans were going for two — and the win, leaving the first overall pick in the balance.
Smith could have rolled over here, maybe called a play with a low success rate. No one would have…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/butterfly-effect-how-one-play-led-bears-caleb-williams-franchise-renewal
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Publish date : 2024-07-31 14:05:12
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