Caleb Williams seemed to live for playing games in crunch time. He'd already led five 4th quarter comebacks this season and almost had another two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers. He would need another on Saturday night. The Packers led 16-6 with under five minutes to play. A field goal cut the lead to seven with two minutes left. Chicago needed an onside kick to have a realistic chance. Josh Blackwell made the play. Williams wasted no time, driving down the field and finding Jahdae Walker for the tying touchdown, forcing overtime.
Green Bay tried asserting itself again in OT, quickly reaching Bears territory. However, they botched a snap on 4th down, turning it over on downs. Three plays later, Chicago had the ball at the Packers' 46. Williams recognized a coverage he and head coach Ben Johnson had been waiting for all night. He checked into the right play, ran a fake, and launched a bomb to D.J. Moore for the game-winning touchdown.
In the bedlam that followed, people didn't notice a casual move Williams pulled. Right after letting the throw go, he slipped his hands back into a warmer pocket on his waist. Tom Brady, who was calling the game, recognized it immediately for what it was.
Williams knew the throw was good.
Caleb Williams continues to show his confidence.
He said last week that he can make any throw. People chalked that up to arrogance. Time keeps proving otherwise. Certain quarterbacks know the moment they let a ball go that it's good. It stems from thousands of repetitions in practice and previous games. You develop a feel for what the right motion is. It's similar to a basketball player's shot or a baseball player's swing. Williams knew that if he found enough space to step up, he could put the ball precisely where he wanted it for D.J. Moore to catch.
Getting a tip of the cap from the G.O.A.T. himself was icing on the cake. Brady didn't play 22 years and not gain a clear understanding of when a quarterback is doing a heat check. That is what Caleb Williams did. Don't let anybody tell you different. It was the equivalent of Derrick Rose hitting that winning shot against Cleveland in the playoffs without cracking a smile. Williams let everybody know that the "Ice Man" nickname isn't for show.
