Bears’ Caleb Williams Makes History as First Rookie QB to Throw Touchdown in 2024 Season

Caleb Williams makes history as the first rookie QB to throw a TD in 2024, but Bears fall short to Colts, 21-16. Highlights inside

Caleb Williams Breaks Through with First Rookie Touchdown of 2024 Season, but Bears Fall Short Against Colts

 

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams finally etched his name into the NFL history books on Sunday, becoming the first rookie signal-caller of the 2024 season to throw a touchdown pass. However, his two touchdown passes weren’t enough to lead the Bears to victory, as they fell to the Indianapolis Colts, 21-16, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

 

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, found fellow rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze for a 1-yard touchdown pass early in the game, marking the first passing touchdown by a rookie quarterback this season. The connection between the two rookies provided a much-needed spark for the Bears’ offense, which had struggled in previous weeks.

 

Despite this milestone, the Bears couldn’t overcome costly mistakes. Williams threw two interceptions earlier in the game, further complicating what was already a challenging matchup. However, he bounced back late in the game, throwing his second touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet with just under two minutes left on the clock. The score brought the Bears within striking distance, but it wasn’t enough as the Colts’ star running back, Jonathan Taylor, clinched the game with a crucial first down, sealing the Bears’ fate.

 

The Bears now sit at 1-2 on the season, and while Williams’ individual performance shows promise, there’s work to be done if the team is to turn things around.

 

Though Williams’ touchdown passes were a positive step forward, his early struggles can’t be ignored. The rookie quarterback threw two costly interceptions, which allowed the Colts to maintain control of the game. Williams has been under scrutiny for his inconsistent play through the first few weeks of the season, but his performance against the Colts was a tale of two halves.

 

After starting off shaky, Williams found his rhythm and finished the game with a career-high 363 passing yards, completing 33 of his 52 attempts. Despite the loss, this performance marks his best showing yet and gives the Bears hope for future success under their rookie quarterback.

 

“Caleb showed great resilience today,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. “We’ve got some things to clean up, but I’m proud of how he responded in the second half. It’s a step in the right direction.”

 

Williams’ connection with Odunze, who had six catches for 112 yards and his first career touchdown, was a highlight of the game. Tight end Cole Kmet also had a breakout performance, hauling in 10 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Star wide receiver D.J. Moore chipped in with eight catches for 78 yards, adding to the offensive effort.

 

While Williams flashed potential, it was Jonathan Taylor’s dominant rushing performance that proved to be the difference. The Colts running back rushed for 110 yards on 23 carries and scored two crucial touchdowns, including one that capped off a 10-play drive to secure the win late in the fourth quarter. The Bears’ defense, despite forcing turnovers from Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, couldn’t contain Taylor, whose power and explosiveness were on full display.

 

Richardson, on the other hand, struggled for the Colts, completing just 10 of his 20 pass attempts for 167 yards and throwing two interceptions. Yet, Indianapolis was able to rely on its rushing attack to get the job done. Trey Sermon also contributed with a rushing touchdown, pushing the Colts to 1-2 on the season, the same record as the Bears.

 

Though the Bears are now 1-2, Caleb Williams’ improved play gives Chicago fans reason for optimism. His growing connection with Odunze and Kmet, along with his increasing comfort in the pocket, suggests that better days could be ahead for this young team. However, Williams will need to cut down on the turnovers and improve his efficiency if the Bears hope to compete in a tough NFC North.

 

As the Bears continue their season, they will look to build on the promise of today’s performance. Williams and Odunze’s first touchdown connection is just the beginning, but the ultimate goal is not individual milestones—it’s winning football games. For Chicago, the clock is ticking, and the next step is turning potential into victories.