The overtime interception that essentially put the nail in the Bears’ season doesn’t fall on Caleb Williams.
That’s according to former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel, who chided the “lack of effort” from Bears wide receiver DJ Moore on the fateful overtime play, when a deep pass from Williams was intercepted by Rams safety Kamren Curl in the 20-17 loss.
“You can’t blame Caleb Williams for the INT in OT….. the Bears have the absolute perfect play called,” Daniel wrote on X as he detailed the play-by-play in a video.
You can’t blame Caleb Williams for the INT in OT….. the Bears have the absolute perfect play called
The lack of effort by #2 is really telling….you can’t give up on this route like this. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/E584tOmEQR
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 19, 2026
“The lack of effort by #2 is really telling….you can’t give up on this route like this.”
In the clip, which featured an array of angles of the play in question, Daniel called attention to the exertion from Williams’ teammates while singling out what Moore gave in the game’s final moments.
“To be completely honest, number two up top [Moore], if this is the effort with the season on the line and that you’re giving me, and everyone else is doing good stuff — watch him the whole time — that’s not the effort you want,” Daniel said.
Daniel, who played two seasons with the Bears, indicated a wide-open space for Williams to connect with Moore.
“First off all, the angle is off, you’re going this way when you should be coming this way [toward the space],” the former quarterback said.
Daniel highlighted the space again in a backview of the play, stating, “There comes D.J. Moore, he’s just jogging right there. To me, he’s just jogging and Caleb Williams expects him to be 22 yards on the numbers. He doesn’t cross-face, he doesn’t do anything.”
Moore’s effort was lambasted further when Daniel showcased another angle.
“Caleb Williams knew exactly what he wants to, right, he’s looking him down, and then just the effort is not there. You should be coming downhill to the ball,” Daniel said.
Williams said the interception was the result of a “miscommunication.”
“I’ve got to go back and watch it, obviously haven’t seen it. … Had DJ going over the top over all of it. Just a miscommunication between him and I,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Tried to flatten him off under the safety and he kept it vertical, from what I saw in the moment.”
It was a crushing end to an otherwise unreal year, with the Bears notching the No. 2 seed in the NFC following an 11-6 regular season under first-year coach Ben Johnson.
With Sunday’s win, the Rams advance to next week’s NFC Championship game against the Seahawks in Seattle.
