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Studs and duds from Bears’ gut-wrenching Week 17 loss to 49ers

The Chicago Bears lost their hold on the NFC’s top seed in a gut-wrenching loss to the 49ers in Week 17. Here are the team’s studs and duds.

Published

5 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Bryan Perez

(Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

STUD: Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams is getting better by the week. And it feels like we’re saying this every week.

In Week 17’s loss to the 49ers, Williams was fantastic, connecting on 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

His arm talent was on display, especially on this 36-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Colston Loveland:

Caleb fires a 36-yard TD to Colston Loveland on the free play!

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— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025

Williams’ completion percentage has been a talking point over the last few games, and rightfully so. He must improve on the 58% rate he was completing passes entering Week 17.

But the similarities between Williams’ second season and Josh Allen’s are remarkable. And it feels like Williams is developing into an MVP-caliber quarterback as his second season comes to a close.

NEXT: DUD

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