It seemed that Carl Williams, father of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, was throwing some serious shade at head coach Matt Eberflus following the team’s recent loss to the Washington Commanders. Just two words on Twitter, left there for about 20 minutes, were enough to ignite speculation among fans. However, Carl later clarified that his post had no ill intent.
The controversy started when Carl Williams reposted a video featuring Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt discussing his reaction to a key moment in the game.
In the clip, Whitt admitted that he “didn’t see much” of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ iconic Hail Mary pass during the game. The first-year defensive coordinator explained that he was too frustrated after his unit allowed the Bears to take the lead just moments earlier. In his agitation, he turned away from the field and missed the dramatic moment.
Carl Williams responded to the video by tweeting out the hashtags #accountability and #realcoach. Many fans interpreted the message as a shot at Eberflus, criticizing his lack of accountability for the Bears’ performance and contrasting him with Whitt’s honest, emotional response.
However, according to 670 The Score’s Shane Riordan, Carl insisted that his words were “an innocent comment” and had “nothing to do with the Bears.” He clarified that he didn’t intend to criticize Eberflus or the Bears’ coaching staff.
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Nevertheless, the timing of the tweet, coupled with the frustration surrounding the Bears’ loss, led many fans to believe that Carl Williams was indeed taking a subtle jab at Eberflus.
The elder Williams publicly questioning the head coach would have had serious implications for locker room morale, especially given the tensions already surrounding the team’s struggles.
Yet, fans didn’t seem to be too upset about the idea of Williams calling out the coaching staff, with some even agreeing that a little public accountability might be what the team needs.
Matt Eberflus has faced mounting criticism since the disastrous performance against the Commanders. The Bears’ players themselves have reportedly been questioning some of the coaching decisions from the game, and the discontent appears to be growing. One critical moment that drew scrutiny was during the Commanders’ penultimate play, when the Bears chose to defend the middle of the field rather than the sideline.
This allowed Washington receiver Terry McLaurin to make a crucial 13-yard reception along the sideline and step out of bounds, stopping the clock. This decision set the stage for the Commanders’ game-winning touchdown, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the Bears’ defensive strategy.
The way the Bears lost, especially the questionable coaching decisions that contributed to the Commanders’ final drive, has put Eberflus under the microscope. The frustration among fans is palpable, and it’s easy to see why some may have welcomed Carl Williams’ perceived criticism.
When a team is struggling, accountability and leadership from the coaching staff are vital, and many feel that Eberflus has fallen short in those areas.
Despite the recent backlash, the Bears still have a chance to turn things around. They are heading into a crucial stretch with two winnable games against the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots before diving back into NFC North competition.
These upcoming games will provide an opportunity for Eberflus and the Bears to redeem themselves, prove their resilience, and show that they can make the necessary adjustments to get back on track.
Whether or not Carl Williams intended his tweet as a critique of the Bears’ coaching staff, the sentiment struck a chord with fans who are eager for a change.
If the Bears want to regain their footing and quiet the critics, they’ll need to demonstrate improved coaching decisions, player accountability, and, most importantly, the will to win.
