Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has a full plate this week. The Bears are hitting the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings, who upset Chicago at Soldier Field 27-24 back in Week 1, and Allen needs to figure out how to stop them. Superstar receiver
But that’s not all the Bears have going for them. For the first time in what feels like years, the Bears’ offense is proving to be a dominant force, especially in the fourth quarter and ‘gotta-have-it’ situations. The credit for their proficiency goes to the entire unit, but one player in particular has stood out as key to Chicago winning six of their last seven games: quarterback Caleb Williams.
Allen spoke briefly about his quarterback during his media appearance on Thursday, but the few words he said spoke volumes. He started off by detailing Williams’ tremendous growth since training camp, a sentiment that has been echoed by head coach Ben Johnson. But it was his description of Williams’ style of playing quarterback that really stood out.
In describing how Williams uses his athleticism and ability to throw on the run as a weapon, Allen had six words to say: “I’m glad he’s on our side.”
I would imagine that every player on Chicago’s roster nodded along when they heard Allen say that. Watching some of the insane throws that Williams has made has been fascinating for the fans and players, but to Chicago’s upcoming opponents, it’s pure nightmare fuel.
What’s even scarier for the rest of the league is that Williams appears to be only just getting started on his rise up the NFL QB rankings. Remember, this is only his second season and his first with Ben Johnson. Unless his development goes completely off the rails, this is the worst that Williams will ever be, and he’s arguably on pace for a Pro Bowl season.
Grab some shades, Bears fans. The future of this franchise is brighter than the sun.
At this point in the season, the most unbelievable thing about Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka seems to be he’s doing this all as rookie, because he sure doesn’t play like one.
Egbuka, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, is fourth in the NFL in receiving through 5 games — his first 5 NFL games — with 25 receptions for 445 yards and 5 touchdowns,
After Tampa Bay’s 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5 improved the Buccaneers to 4-1 and saw another huge game from Egbuka with 7 receptions for 163 yards and 1 touchdown, the Ohio State product now also owns a unique piece of NFL history.
“Emeka Egbuka is the 3rd player since 1970 with 425+ receiving yards and 5+ rec TD through 5 career games along with Randy Moss and Ja’Marr Chase,” CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson wrote on X on October 5.
There are only a few NFL general managers operating at as high of a level as Tampa Bay’s Jason Licht right now in terms of evaluating talent.
Two of Licht’s 2025 draft picks —Egbuka and cornerback Jacob Parrish — are already starting for the Buccaneers.
Another 2025 pick, seventh round wide receiver Tez Johnson, had 4 receptions for 59 yards against the Seahawks.
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison, a 2025 second round pick, could also become a key contributor on defense once he gets past some early season injury issues.
Egbuka, however, is a crown jewel like the Buccaneers haven’t seen since they doubled-dipped for a pair of NFL All-Pros in the 2020 draft with offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
What’s incredible about the Egbuka pick is, on the surface, it seemed like the Buccaneers were going to be forced to draft a defensive player.
Instead, Licht signed free agent edge rusher Haason Reddick to a 1-year, $14 million contract to address the most pressing need on the defensive side of the ball and used the first round pick to get the very best player available.
Egbuka, who signed a 4-year, $18.1 million rookie contract, is one of just 2 rookie wide receivers in the Top 20 in the NFL in receiving alongside Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick.
“I call (Egbuka) a professional receiver,” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said immediately after the pick was announced. ” … that workmanlike, that professional approach.”
Buccaneers fans should shudder to think of what kind of a state Tampa Bay would be in right now if they didn’t have Egbuka.
NFL All-Pro Chris Godwin missed the first 3 games as he recovered from surgery on his dislocated left ankle and has been essentially a non-factor since he returned, with 3 receptions for 26 yards in each of his first 2 games back.
Even further, the Buccaneers have been forced to play without NFL All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans the last 2 games because of a hamstring injury — the same type of injury that cost him 3 game in 2024.
Another projected starting wide receiver, Jalen McMillan, is out until at least Week 10 with a severely sprained neck suffered in the preseason.