😡 “IT’S ALL HIS FAULT!” Caleb Williams completely lost control of his emotions after the Chicago Bears’ shocking defeat to the Detroit Lions – a much weaker opponent. The young star bluntly blamed Coach Ben Johnson’s inexplicable decisions. And things didn’t stop there… the subsequent events truly pushed internal tensions within the Bears to a breaking point, leaving fans deeply worried.

The Chicago Bears suffered a stunning 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions on January 4, 2026, at Soldier Field, capping off a tumultuous regular season.

Despite entering the game with an 11-6 record and playoff hopes secured, the Bears faltered against a 9-8 Lions team that had little to play for. The defeat highlighted ongoing issues within the team, sparking immediate postgame fireworks.

Caleb Williams, the Bears’ second-year quarterback, delivered a mixed performance, throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns in a frantic fourth-quarter rally. He broke the Bears’ single-season passing record, surpassing Erik Kramer’s mark with precise throws to Colston Loveland and others.

Yet, the early game struggles left him visibly frustrated as the team failed to score until the final period.

In the postgame press conference, Williams didn’t hold back, appearing emotional and pointing fingers at coaching decisions. “Not good enough to win this game, not good enough to win the upcoming games,” he stated bluntly, alluding to play calls that led to a sluggish start.

His words seemed directed at head coach Ben Johnson, whose conservative early-game strategy baffled many observers.

The Bears trailed 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, a deficit built on defensive lapses and offensive inefficiency. Williams orchestrated two touchdown drives and successful two-point conversions to tie the game at 16-16.

However, a last-second field goal by Lions kicker Jake Bates sealed the Bears’ fate, amplifying the quarterback’s discontent with the overall game plan.

Williams’ criticism escalated when he addressed the team’s dynamics.

“We got to get better on all sides of the ball,” he said, but quickly shifted focus: “Whatever happens on the other side of the ball, it’s not something we can control.” This indirect jab at the defense underscored his belief that offensive setups, orchestrated by Johnson, set the tone for failure from the outset.

Ben Johnson, in his first season as Bears head coach after leaving the Lions, responded with his own pointed remarks. He ripped into the offense during his presser, expressing anger over the slow start despite a “simple enough” game plan.

“We’re professionals; we need to execute,” Johnson said, refusing to shoulder all the blame amid whispers of internal discord.

This exchange marked the latest chapter in a rocky relationship between Williams and Johnson. Earlier in the season, after a humiliating 52-21 Week 2 loss to the Lions, the pair had a heated sideline confrontation.

Williams later described their bond as “fragile” during training camp, admitting it took time to align on offensive philosophies.

The Week 2 debacle saw the Bears humiliated in Detroit, with Lions fans chanting expletives at Johnson, their former offensive coordinator. Williams struggled that day, completing under 50% of his passes amid windy conditions and questionable calls.

Postgame, he and Johnson clashed publicly, with the quarterback questioning route designs and play sequencing.

Tensions simmered throughout the year, with Johnson occasionally revealing Williams’ frustrations in practice. In December 2025, after a walkthrough, Johnson noted the quarterback was “pissed off” over minor execution errors, highlighting the high standards but also the underlying pressure. Such moments fueled speculation about locker room fractures.

As the season progressed, the Bears climbed to an 11-6 record, clinching the NFC’s No. 2 seed thanks to the Washington Commanders’ upset over the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet, the late-season slump, including back-to-back losses, exposed vulnerabilities.

Williams’ record-breaking performance against the Lions offered a silver lining, but the defeat overshadowed it.

Fans reacted with alarm on social media, expressing worry over the apparent blame game.

One X post lamented, “Williams throwing shade at Johnson? This isn’t the unity we need heading into playoffs.” Others defended the quarterback, citing Johnson’s risky play-calling in prior games, like the high-stakes loss to the 49ers where aggressive decisions backfired.

The internal strife recalls historical Bears dysfunction, where quarterback-coach rifts have derailed promising seasons. Williams, drafted first overall in 2024, was expected to usher in a new era, but Johnson’s arrival from Detroit brought high expectations and immediate scrutiny. Their public disagreements now threaten team morale at a critical juncture.

With playoffs looming, the Bears face questions about cohesion. Williams emphasized controlling what the offense can, hinting at a divide between units. “We have to come out starting fast, being better,” he urged, but his tone suggested deeper issues with Johnson’s schemes, which have alternated between brilliance and bafflement.

Johnson, for his part, channeled the Week 2 humiliation into motivation for the rematch, but the result was another loss to his former team. He praised Williams’ fourth-quarter heroics yet stressed collective responsibility. “The win is the most important statistic,” he reiterated, downplaying individual milestones amid the defeat.

Analysts point to defensive shortcomings, allowing the Lions to dominate early despite Chicago’s talent. Amon-Ra St. Brown torched the secondary for 139 yards, exposing gaps that Williams’ rally couldn’t fully overcome. This imbalance has fans fearing a short postseason run if tensions aren’t resolved.

The chain of events—from the Week 2 blowout to fragile relations, practice frustrations, and now postgame criticisms—has escalated Bears’ internal drama. Williams’ emotional outburst, blaming Johnson’s “inexplicable decisions” for the slow start, resonates with supporters weary of perennial disappointments.

As Chicago prepares for wildcard opponents, the focus shifts to mending fences. Johnson must unify the squad, while Williams channels his fire productively. The No. 2 seed offers a bye week for reflection, but lingering resentment could undermine their potential.

Bears faithful remain anxious, recalling past collapses. One fan forum post captured the sentiment: “If Caleb and Ben can’t get on the same page, we’re done before we start.” The loss to an underrated Lions squad, coupled with the blame-shifting, has indeed pushed tensions to a boiling point.

In the end, this defeat serves as a wake-up call. Williams’ passion is an asset, but unchecked emotions risk alienating teammates. Johnson, hailed as an offensive genius, faces the test of leadership in adversity. For now, the Bears’ future hangs in the balance, with fans holding their breath.