Bears QB Caleb Williams
Getty
Bears QB Caleb Williams
Praise for theChicago Bears rarely comes fromGreen Bay, but former Packers DC Jeff Hafley (now head coach of theMiami Dolphins) just gave atelling answer when asked aboutCaleb Williams at the NFL’s annual meeting in Arizona.
“I just think what Caleb did at the end of the games and his ability to make off-schedule plays was incredible. I mean, that’s just me being honest. At the end of games, when he had to make off-schedule plays and somehow pull it off, he did. He got better throughout the season. I think he’s a really good quarterback that’s only going to get better.”
One word stood out:Incredible. And Bears fans everywhere immediately nodded, because they’ve been watching that word happen in real time for two years.
Hafley was the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, seeing Williams from the worst vantage point possible… The opposing sideline in crunch time.
He saw the seven fourth quarter comeback wins that made the Bears the “Cardiac Bears.” He saw plays break down and turn into absurd conversions.
And he saw the play… Down 11 in the Wild Card round. Five minutes left. Fourth and eight at midfield. Williams rolled left, got hit as he threw, and delivered a 28 yard strike to Rome Odunze that flipped the game (and maybe the rivalry).
The numbers back up the feeling
Bears QB Caleb Williams
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
Thedata is absurd. In 2025 alone, the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams had:
Seven fourth quarter comeback wins (most in NFL history)
Bears were 3-3 when trailing by 10+ in the final five minutes (rest of NFL: 3-151)
31 first downs or TDs when tied/trailing by one possession in 4Q/OT (most in league)
36 first downs or TDs in fourth quarter of one-possession games (3rd in NFL)
23 third/fourth down conversions in 4Q/OT (top 10)
And against Green Bay specifically? In five career starts vs the Packers, Caleb Williams has:
1,176 passing yards
7 TDs, 3 INTs
A 3-2 record
A playoff win
And three wins in the last four meetings
For context: before Williams arrived, the Chicago Bears had lost 10 straight to Green Bay. Since 2024, they’re 3-2. And they now lead the all time postseason series.
Why this quote hits differently
Bears QB Caleb Williams
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
Plenty of people praise Caleb Williams. Teammates rave about his calmness and analysts talk about his improvisation dating back to USC almost excessively. But Jeff Hafley is different.
It’s not crazy to say that Hafley sounded almost relieved that he no longer has to gameplan for Williams anymore now that he’s the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Caleb Williams hasexplained it himself: “I feel calm in those moments. I feel that I’m the best in those moments because of what I’ve prepared to be in those moments. It’s next play, next play, next play… and when you have to go make a play, it’s life or death.”
Chicago Bears fans have watched those late game heroics for two seasons. Now the former Packers coordinator just confirmed what they already knew.