During the second half of Thursday’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, a controversial moment occurred involving Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. As Williams scrambled along the sideline, Lions linebacker Jack Campbell delivered a low hit that caused Williams’s left knee to buckle. The incident initially raised concerns of a severe knee injury. However, after a brief evaluation in the medical tent, Williams returned to action without missing a single offensive snap.
Following the game, reporters questioned Williams about the legality of the play. His response was candid but avoided direct accusations.
“Um, knee’s fine,” Williams stated. “Yeah, I — that play was funky. Just put it that way. I don’t really — you know, I didn’t really appreciate the play. He just kind of dove straight at my knee. So I didn’t really get that. Definitely kind of frustrated about that one, just ’cause you know, whatever. Yeah, knee’s good. Nothing wrong with it. Think I just got a bruise. But the play was — the play was funky”, reported by Bleacher Report.
The play indeed had a chaotic appearance, but it was ultimately ruled clean. In the NFL, quarterbacks lose certain protections once they become runners. For instance, when a quarterback leaves the pocket and crosses the line of scrimmage, they are subject to the same rules as any other ball carrier. This includes the legality of hits at or below the knee.
In this case, Williams appeared to attempt a move reminiscent of Lamar Jackson, trying to stop abruptly and cause Campbell to miss the tackle. However, the move failed as Campbell’s hit connected, leaving Williams visibly frustrated.
Some analysts suggest that Williams could have avoided the situation altogether by stepping out of bounds instead of attempting the sideline maneuver. While his instincts to gain extra yardage are commendable, the play serves as a reminder of the risks quarterbacks face when choosing to run outside the pocket.
Ultimately, Williams’s ability to shake off the hit and return to the game is a testament to his resilience. However, the incident underscores the importance of strategic decision-making in high-stakes situations. As the Bears look ahead, Williams and his coaches will likely review the play to ensure smarter choices in the future.