NFL world reacts to Caleb Williams' return, Bears' win vs. Falcons
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Bears saw the return of several key starters in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, and it was quarterback Caleb Williams and cornerback Kyler Gordon that led the team to a 31-23 win and a 4-2 record heading into a three-game prime-time stretch.
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The Bears offense saw a massive boost from Williams' return to the starting lineup, where he played it safe as a runner, electing to operate as a pocket passer or extend plays, and it led to his best passing showing of his career. Williams went 30-of-36, completing 83.3% of his passes, for 305 yards and one touchdown and no turnovers for a 111.2 passer rating.
Meanwhile, Gordon led an inspired outing by a Bears defense that was missing defensive end Montez Sweat, linebacker T.J. Edwards, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Gordon, who played his first game of the season after missing the entire summer and first five games with a calf injury, had three sacks and two forced fumbles against a talented Falcons offense. Chicago's defense allowed just seven points (which came on a short field after a missed Cairo Santos field goal) heading into the fourth quarter. While they allowed a pair of touchdowns, it was an encouraging showing all things considered.
The Bears held a 31-7 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the game, but they had a disastrous fourth-quarter showing eventually allowing the Falcons to make things interesting with a couple of touchdowns (and two-point conversions). But they were able to hang on for their fourth win of the season, which included plenty of noteworthy reactions around the league.
NFL world reacts to Bears' win vs. Falcons, Caleb Williams' return
Your Chicago Bears are now 4-2
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 18, 2026
Crazy this game was close to begin with, but great job by these guys responding with a win after last week's blowout. The ceiling with this team is sky high
Strong endorsement from Tom Brady, who just said on the broadcast that he believes this is the best game Caleb Williams played as a pro.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 18, 2026
#Bears do what they need to do, hold on to beat the Falcons 31-23 in a game that reminded everyone how important Caleb Williams is to everything. Franchise QB, indeed. They're 4-2.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) October 18, 2026
Absolutely huge W for the Bears.
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) October 18, 2026
That was not a great matchup on paper with the defense's injuries... really an awesome performance by that side.
Kyler Gordon was MASSIVE. They truly might not win that without him. He's such a crucial piece vs both the run and pass.
Great win for the Bears and Caleb Williams, definitely should be frustrated as a team about that 4th quarter tho
— BearsShowYo (@BearsShowYo) October 18, 2026
Caleb Williams is playing great today but still appears to not be as fast or elusive as he usually is while recovering from the hamstring. a couple sacks he took where it looks like he thought he could get out of it normally, or couldn't get his body around to make the throw
— Jeremy (@JeromeyR0me) October 18, 2026
Caleb Williams returned, and he was awesome
— Alex Patt (@chifanpatt2) October 18, 2026
Kyler Gordon returned, and he was awesome
Roschon Johnson had a bad fumble but had a productive game.
Got a little too interesting near the end, but it's a Bears W.
Takeaways from Ben Johnson's fourth win in six games in Year 2 as the Bears' head coach:
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) October 18, 2026
1.) Caleb Williams is just so good. You had to know he'd be a man on a mission today. So accurate. So in control. Played with that swagger.
2.) Kyler freaking Gordon. Amazing return.
Is it even a Chicago Bears football game if you don’t have a mini heart attack?
— Burns (@therealburns3) October 18, 2026
Bears win.
4-2.
LFG.
Solid win for Bears
— Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) October 18, 2026
The story:
The returns of Kyler Gordon & Caleb Williams. Stars.
bears win, caleb williams is back on track for the mvp szn, kyler gordon is back and already our best defensive player, much more of a dominant win than the score suggest, all sides of the ball were humming and all hope is restored going into this 3 primetime games stretch
— The Ramblin' Gambler (@t6keout) October 18, 2026
They need to clean up the penalties a bit and the starters were pulled way too early.. but a nice win for the Bears in Caleb Williams first game back.
— Courtney Finnicum (@courtney883) October 18, 2026
Thank god man. Bears win. Kyler Gordon is an all pro. Caleb Williams is back. 4-2. We move
— Tanner (@Tanner23062) October 18, 2026
Roschon Johnson getting a chance to ice the game seems like a vote of confidence after the fumble. And great awareness to slide before the end zone to keep the clock rolling. BEARS WIN.
— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) October 18, 2026
Caleb Williams finishes the day 30/36 for 305 yards and a TD with a completion percentage of 83.3%.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) October 18, 2026
It's the highest completion percentage for a Bears quarterback ever with at least 35 pass attempts.
Kyler Gordon has 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his return to the #Bears. Incredible.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 18, 2026
The #Bears won and Caleb Williams played at an MVP level in his first game back pic.twitter.com/x25gUNwLX7
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 18, 2026
I’m so glad Kyler Gordon is back!!! When he’s healthy and on the field, he’s a damn good football player. #Bears
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 18, 2026
Bears almost put the game in jeopardy. But Gordon was the star of the defense and the offense put up enough to win it. 🐻⬇️😅
— WandaW (@WandaW63) October 18, 2026
Bears 4/4 in the redzone with Caleb Williams return
— Dave (@davebftv) October 18, 2026
Kyler Gordon.
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) October 18, 2026
MVP of the game.
BEARS WIN
BEAR DOWN pic.twitter.com/wFD49cUbWB
Caleb showed what hes all about. clearly not 100% but still was great. he will always get criticized. he will always get unwarranted hate. he’ll always be our quarterback
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) October 18, 2026
Ben went from not wanting to talk about Kyler to handing him a game ball. What a world.
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) October 18, 2026
I think you saw a different Caleb today.
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 18, 2026
You saw he took prices of Case Keenum’s success into his game it wasn’t just talk. Very efficient pre snap recognition getting the ball out quick in rhythm.
Penalties were the only thing to stop Caleb all day. #Bears#DaBears
CALEB WILLIAMS HEARD ALL THE NOISE.
— Bearsszn (@bearszn) October 18, 2026
WHAT A RETURN FOR 18. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/rYjh8OZ2Iw
Kyler Gordon makes SUCH a difference for this defense. stay healthy for the love of god
— Jeremy (@JeromeyR0me) October 18, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to Caleb Williams' return, Bears' win vs. Falcons