Bears not changing QBs: Caleb Williams 'our starter,' coach says

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus said he is still in the process of deciding changes to help the team's struggling offense but confirmed that rookie Caleb Williams will remain the starting quarterback.

"Caleb is our starter," Eberflus said.

Besides the quarterback position, however, "everything is on the table," Eberflus said.

Following the Bears' third straight loss, a 19-3 defeat to the New England Patriots, Eberflus said that any changes made are "ultimately my decision."

"There will be changes, adjustments, being made," Eberflus said. "I'm not going to disclose those right now. I'm not at that point in the process. Monday is a long day in terms of the evaluation of everything, in terms of lineups, in terms of the coaching, in terms of how we need to do better in that coaching and in that communication in-game, during the game, after the game, prior to the game. It's important that we take time to make those decisions and make the right decisions that's for the Bears, best for the Bears going forward this week and going forward into the future."

Immediately after Sunday's loss, Eberflus acknowledged that one of the changes he's considering could be switching the team's offensive playcaller, the role that currently belongs to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Eberflus declined to say whether Waldron would remain on staff this week but noted that potential changes would need to be expedited.

"It's got to be fairly quick," Eberflus said. "I just think that right now, to come out here less than 24 hours and make all those changes or changes that you want to make and state. When I have those answers, I'll get them to you. I'm just not at that point right now."

When asked specifically what changes Eberflus is considering, the Bears coach specifically noted "in-game communication."

"In terms of that, it's got to be better," Eberflus said. "The adjustments, the tactical adjustments, need to be better with that on all sides. Everything's on the table. And it's important that we look at everything and we take the time to get that done."

Chicago's offensive struggles have been magnified in three straight losses to the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals and Patriots. The Bears have scored 27 points coming off their Week 7 bye and rank at the bottom of the NFL in points scored (24th), yards per carry (28th), yards per pass (30th), total yards (30th), third downs (31st) and yards per play (31st).

Against New England, Williams, the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts for 120 yards, his lowest passing output since throwing for 93 yards in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans. Collectively, Chicago's offense was 1-of-14 on third down (7%), its worst mark since 2012.

Williams was also sacked nine times by the Patriots, which brings his total from the past three games to 18. During Chicago's recent losing streak, Williams has logged his three highest-pressure-percentage games of his career.

Eberflus said he planned to meet with Williams on Monday afternoon.

"I just want to take the temperature of him, where he's at; where his confidence level is, which is high," Eberflus said. "Him working with the other players, relational and also scheme, making sure we're getting that done. And he's where he is right now."

Chicago has not reached the end zone in back-to-back games and has gone 23 straight offensive drives without a touchdown, which marks the longest active streak in the NFL. The Bears' last touchdown was Roschon Johnson's 1-yard go-ahead score in Chicago's 18-15 loss to Washington on a Hail Mary in Week 8.

"It's frustrating," running back D'Andre Swift said Monday of the offense's struggles. "It's frustrating. I'm not going to sit up here and talk about talent on offense, because everybody sees that on paper. But we got to do a job collectively to showcase that on the field. We have a great opportunity in front of us. That wasn't the last game of the season. We're blessed with another opportunity to go out there and go to work."