The Chicago Bears just added another chapter to their season of frustration. A grim 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks has now extended their losing streak to 10 games. But after the game, interim head coach Thomas Brown didn’t just shoulder the blame; he practically tackled himself and Caleb Williams with his own words.

Speaking to reporters, Brown declared, “The offense was not good enough, which starts with me.” It was a candid admission, but fans and analysts questioned whether this honesty was leadership or simply damage control. Brown’s game management and decision-making, particularly late in the fourth quarter, left plenty to dissect.

Brown’s postgame comments reflected a coach trying to protect his players. “I thought special teams played extremely well… defense played their butts off the entire night,” he said, adding, “As far as the game plan that I had, coming into this game having those guys ready to go, we had plenty of opportunities to win.” This was his attempt to shield rookie quarterback Caleb Williams from criticism, who endured seven sacks in a brutal outing.

The offense was far from cohesive, managing only 179 total yards. When asked about a critical timeout on 4th and 5 with just over two minutes left, Brown admitted, “I just changed my mind… Wanted to be more aggressive.” His explanation raised eyebrows, as their offensive struggles made that aggressiveness seem misplaced.

Brown’s comments, though well-intentioned, didn’t sit well with many fans. His claim of full accountability, coupled with questionable game decisions, made his leadership look reactive rather than proactive. It left many wondering whether his approach was truly building confidence in a team desperate for direction.

Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offensive breakdown: Who’s really to blame?

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams deserves some slack. Despite constant pressure, he set an NFL rookie record with 353 pass attempts without an interception before Thursday night. However, his late-game interception against the Seahawks ended that streak and sealed the Bears’ fate.

Adding to the frustration was Chicago’s O-Line, which allowed Williams to break the franchise record for sacks in a season. The unit couldn’t provide the protection necessary for any quarterback, let alone a rookie facing relentless pressure. Williams wasn’t blameless either, holding onto the ball too long on some plays.

Brown admitted the offensive scheme didn’t help, saying, “I put it on myself to call plays where the ball can come out faster.” But how much of the blame lies with a quarterback still adjusting to the NFL compared to a coaching staff struggling to find answers? Besides the point, Seattle’s defense dominated, with Leonard Williams notching two of the team’s seven sacks.

But Chicago’s offensive line, missing key starters, became an open gate for the Seahawks’ pass rush. The lack of execution exposed the cracks in both coaching and preparation. Looking ahead, the Bears must answer critical questions. Can the offensive line improve enough to protect Williams?

More importantly, can the coaching staff create a system that gives their young quarterback a chance to thrive? With another loss added to the pile, Chicago’s season now hinges on finding a semblance of hope. Whether that hope comes from Williams’s potential or a revamped leadership approach remains the ultimate question.