Bulls News: Brown previews rivalry matchup with Packers, three players ruled out |
CHICAGO - On Sun. Jan 5 (Noon / FOX), when the Bears take on the Green Bay Packers, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will become the first Chicago Bears quarterback since 2009 to start every game in the regular season.
While Williams has had an up-and-down season, interim head coach Thomas Brown wants to see Williams have a clean and efficient game for the finale. “To be clean, to be efficient, to be his best. That’s what I care about the most. I think understanding the responsibility he has playing the quarterback position. He’s always made plays throughout this year, almost every game, (made) some spectacular plays here and there. But, it’s about the operation day-in and day-out, the play-in (and) play-out, the communication with the entire group and just lead them,” Brown said. “(Any) leadership position whether you like to or not, which I know he welcomes that, wants that and he should. But, understanding of everything that he does, every attitude he has, how he communicates, how he moves makes the entire group go. So, just be himself, do his best and cut it loose.” Chicago has a younger locker room with many players still on their rookie contracts, including offensive lineman Teven Jenkins. Jenkins really needed to have a strong campaign this year after being plagued by injuries his first three seasons in the league. While he started the most games of his career this year with 14, he still will miss three games as he has been ruled out against Green Bay on Sunday. Brown did not comment on Jenkins’ performance specifically but noted the offense in general, but particularly the line, has struggled throughout the season. “I think the entire group has been up and down. As far as the entire team goes, the offense goes, there’s been some bright moments, some not as bright moments,” Brown said. “I think it’s always an unfortunate part to have guys that have injuries and can’t finish. That’s always tough as (an) athlete.” Given how many times Williams has been sacked this season, there will certainly be changes at the offensive line in the offseason. Jenkins could be one of the players Chicago moves on from as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. His Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade this year is 75.4, No. 16 in the league among 130 guards. So, his performance may have allowed him to get a contract this offseason. Another player who may or may not return next season is tight end Marcedes Lewis. Lewis is also set to be an unrestricted free agent in March, although he is 40 years old and may retire after this season. While Lewis only has one reception this season, he provides a strong veteran presence in the locker room. “He is great to be around. The pleasure as far as the maturity, the communication, obviously highly experienced, the veteran leader in the locker room. I think sometimes when it comes to the role of a player, it kind of changes the impact they can have overall just because most guys have the best opportunity to lead when you’re in your prime and you’re rocking and rolling,” Brown said. “But, I think he’s been doing a great job as far as being a mentor to the entire group. He’s one guy I’ve always leaned on as far as getting information back from as far as the locker room, as far as the pulse of it. But, he’s awesome.” Lewis played for five seasons with Green Bay before coming to Chicago. Sunday’s game allows Lewis to finally defeat his former team, as the Bears have not beaten the Packers since 2018. For the rest of the team, it allows the Bears to finish the season with some respect and pride. “I think the opportunity is the important thing. I think it’s not guaranteed … I think we all have a very arrogant approach to the future as if the future is guaranteed. It’s not guaranteed,” Brown said. “There’s some guys who may play their last game on Sunday, don’t even know it yet. So, I think (an) understanding of how to be competitive, to be at your best, to be internally motivated regardless of circumstance, regardless of the need for overwhelming outside motivations.” In addition to Jenkins (calf), safety Elijah Hicks (ankle and foot) and running back Travis Homer (hamstring) are also out for the season finale.
