"Lunch with Larry," my world-renowned Q-and-A with Bears fans every Tuesday during the regular season, is switching to a mailbag format to give all fans a chance to participate. So here are your questions and my answers, with the best query of the week at the bottom of the column winning a Connie's Pizza gift card.
Caleb Williams is so talented. The thing that impressed me about his game on Sunday is that I'm sure the game didn't go as he wanted but he still kept his poise and didn't try to force it. He never committed that costly turnover that we have been so used to seeing. What is something that has impressed you about him?
Anonymous
The thing that impressed me most about Williams Sunday was his poise and demeanor when things weren't going well. He always seems to be under control and focused on the task at hand, like a seasoned veteran and not an inexperienced rookie. Said coach Matt Eberflus: "I don't think there was anxiety. He was calm, cool and collected the whole time. Never got frustrated. I always talk to him about the response that you have, just hanging in there because sometimes it can get rough …"
I thought that Williams' disposition contributed to him not committing any turnovers, which was a key factor in the Bears' comeback victory, especially when you consider that Titans quarterback Will Levis threw two interceptions—one of which was returned for a touchdown—and lost a fumble, all in the fourth quarter. Said Eberflus: "When you start a rookie quarterback, which we are doing, he's going to have ups and downs, good moments and other moments. We have to just play well around him; make sure that the operation's clean, make sure we don't turn the ball over and give people short fields and free plays."
In terms of Williams' development, Eberflus said: "He's smart as a whip and knows the offense and we've got to keep playing well around him as he grows and reinvests and improves. And he's going to learn a lot these first three or four games in terms of the NFL look, the NFL speed, and all of the things we have to do."
With the new kickoff rules, how can a team still do an onside kick?
Woody B.
The new kickoff rules that were implemented on a one-year trail basis for the 2024 season prohibit surprise onside kicks. Onside kicks are only permitted by teams that are losing in the fourth quarter, and they must alert the officiating crew that they will be attempting an onside kick before the play.
No offensive turnovers, excellent second half defense, and after the fumbled kickoff return, great special teams. But the Bears need a running game and a passing game for complementary football. I know they won, but has coach Matt Eberflus discussed any changes that will be implemented to improve the offense?
Scot C.
The Bears obviously have to do a better job of playing complementary football than they did in their season-opening win, but I don't think that Eberflus is going to panic and make any drastic changes after one game. The Bears faced an excellent defensive front in their season opener and will learn from their mistakes. The good news is that the operation was generally clean, and they didn't commit any turnovers that gave the Titans points or a short field.
And finally the question of the week, which earns a Connie's Pizza gift card:
When was the last time a Bears quarterback threw for 400 yards in a game?
Ryan H.
The last time a Bears quarterback threw for at least 400 yards was Nov. 14, 1999, when Jim Miller passed for 422 yards in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It was the fourth most prolific passing game in Bears history. Johnny Lujack holds the single-game record with 468 yards Dec. 11, 1949, in a 52-21 win over the Chicago Cardinals, followed by Bill Wade's 466 yards Nov. 18, 1962, in a 34-33 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and Hall of Famer Sid Luckman's 433 yards Nov. 14, 1943, in a 56-7 rout of the New York Giants.
