Bears’ Ben Johnson Predicted to Cut Ties With QB Caleb Williams
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Quarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears missed a golden opportunity Sunday to win their fifth consecutive game against a Baltimore Ravens team absent Lamar Jackson, and it has led to renewed criticism of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff of “The Volume” discussed Williams following the Bears’ loss in Baltimore, and in their back and forth essentially co-predicted that Chicago and head coach Ben Johnson will ultimately part ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick.
“Caleb, in my opinion, is never gonna be an accurate — consistently accurate — thrower of the football in this league,” Cowherd said. “Am I too harsh?”
“No,” Middlekauff responded. “And if he’s not, he’s not gonna work with Ben Johnson.”
Middlekauff continued, extolling the virtues of the defense and running back D’Andre Swift, while asserting that Williams isn’t even an average NFL signal-caller at this point in his career.
“[Williams] has not played well. Their team has. The running back has played well and the defense has played well. The quarterback has not,” Middlekauff said. “How many times today with Caleb, guys in the flat — even on completions — they have to stop? There’s no rhythm to his game. I think Caleb isn’t remotely a good player. Physically he’s got a lot of gifts. But in terms of playing the quarterback position, I think he’s borderline not even average. That’s a problem.”
Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson Viewed Costly 4th-Quarter Interception Differently
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Williams completed 25-of-38 passes for 285 yards and one crucial interception against the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday.
Down 16-13 with a little more than nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter and buried deep in Bears’ territory, Williams threw a pass meant for wide receiver Rome Odunze that Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins stepped in front of and picked off. Wiggins returned the football to Chicago’s nine-yard line and Baltimore punched in a touchdown just two plays later.
“It was a good read. Rome was man-to-man with the guy who caught the pick,” Williams said of the errant pass. “I just didn’t give a good ball to Rome.”
There seemed, however, to be something of a disconnect between the quarterback and his coach with regards to that particular play.
“In my mind,” Johnson said, “there might have been another option that we could have gotten to.”
Caleb Williams’ Passing Stats Slightly Down This Season
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
That interception didn’t necessarily end Chicago’s chances of winning the game, as the Bears were able to turn a subsequent drive into a field goal that cut the lead to seven points with a little more than five minutes to play.
However, the defense was unable to get Williams and company the football back. The Ravens eventually scored another touchdown and won the contest by a score of 30-16.
Chicago hired Johnson over the offseason in the hopes of turning Williams and the offense around. However, the team is 4-3 through seven games, precisely where it was last year under Matt Eberflus after the first loss of what would become a 10-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, Williams’ completion percentage is down from 62.5 percent in 2024 to 61.9 percent this season. His interception rate is also up, as he has thrown four of them through seven games after tossing just six INTs in 17 starts last season.
Potential Replacement for Broncos CB Pat Surtain II Gets Strong Endorsement
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Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos reacts after beating the New York Jets.
The Denver Broncos will be without All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II for several weeks due to a pectoral injury suffered against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. And while the exact timeline for Surtain’s absence remains unclear, who the Broncos decide to replace him with is paramount.
If Week 8 was any indication, the Broncos will turn to 2024 fifth-round draft pick Kris Abrams-Draine opposite Riley Moss with Ja’Quan McMillian at nickelback.
However, he is not the Broncos’ only option to replace Surtain in the lineup during his injury.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Praises Kris Abrams-Draine
GettyKris Abrams-Draine #31 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Green Bay Packers.
The Broncos selected Abrams-Draine in the fifth round, with the No. 145 overall pick of the 2024 draft. He played in five games and drew one start as a rookie, making him a relative unknown despite his second-year status.
Abrams-Draine allowed completions on all five of the targets he faced, surrendering 61 yards in total, in Surtain’s place against the Cowboys, per Pro Football Focus.
Payton still praised the youngster and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
“I think how we played was outstanding when he wasn’t in. And look, that’s a big deal, especially when a large part of your plan is dealing with rotation and matchups, and you’re dealing with [Nos.] 3 [George Pickens] and 88 [CeeDee Lamb]. And then, all of a sudden, that one element goes away. It can be a little bit disruptive,” Payton told reporters on October 27.
“I thought Kris did a great job. The whole lot of them did when we went without Pat. And we continued to play a handful of the coverages. And yet, Vance did a good job adjusting. So, that was very encouraging.”
Abrams-Draine allowed opposing QBs to complete five of the 15 passes thrown in his direction in 2024, per PFF. So, there is a track record for the Broncos to fall back on.
Broncos’ Plans for Jahdae Barron Unclear
The Broncos have another in-house option besides Abrams-Draine, having used their first-round pick in the 2025 draft, No. 20 overall, on Jahdae Barron.
“Pat Surtain II’s injury is exactly why the Broncos drafted Jahdae Barron in the first round,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X on October 27. “They have depth at CB and will rely on it when Surtain is sidelined.”
Barron has played in all eight of the Broncos’ games this season.
He also started in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded his first career interception in Week 8 against the Cowboys, which Payton called a “big play.”
Former Defensive Player of the Year Among Outside Options
GettyStephon Gilmore #2 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before a game against the Houston Texans.
Surtain could be back as soon as Week 13 against the Washington Commanders. If the Broncos place Surtain on injured reserve, the soonest he would be eligible to return is in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
On the longer range, Surtain would not return until Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers.
If the Broncos look for outside help, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is available in free agency, though he has not been with any team at all this season.
The Broncos face the Houston Texans (Week 9), the Raiders (Week 10), and the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 11) before their bye. Payton left the door open for the Broncos to explore trade options before the November 4 deadline.
Surtain’s injury could ultimately force the cornerback position onto the Broncos’ list of needs.
SHOCKING NEWS: COMMANDERS OWNER RAGES ON CAMERA — “THE SUPER BOWL IS TURNING INTO A JOKE!” He Vows to Mobilize Every Resource to Launch an “All-American Halftime” Show if the NFL Keeps Bad Bunny on the Stage — And just hours later, the stunning reaction from the organizers left all of Washington in utter silence...
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the entire NFL community, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris has publicly blasted the league’s decision to retain Bad Bunny as the headline performer for
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Speaking in an unfiltered and fiery interview that quickly went viral, Harris didn’t hold back his frustration. Looking straight into the camera, the Commanders owner declared:
“The Super Bowl is turning into a joke. If the NFL insists on turning America’s biggest sporting event into a circus, then I’ll make sure fans have an alternative — a real All-American Halftime Show.”
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Within hours, Harris’ comments dominated every sports and entertainment headline in the country — sparking fierce debate, dividing fans, and leaving even league officials scrambling to respond.
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The Outburst That Rocked the League
The explosive moment happened during a recorded segment for Sports Pulse Network, where Harris was being interviewed about the Commanders’ recent season and upcoming Monday Night Football matchup. But when the conversation shifted to the ongoing Bad Bunny halftime controversy, the atmosphere changed instantly.
Harris’ tone hardened, and his words — sharp, emotional, and deliberate — reverberated across the nation:
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“Football is supposed to unite Americans, not confuse them. This halftime show isn’t about our values anymore. It’s about marketing, politics, and noise. That’s not the spirit of the Super Bowl I grew up with.”
Within minutes of the clip airing online, it was reposted thousands of times across X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok. The hashtag #AllAmericanHalftime began trending nationally, and within hours, it had accumulated over 10 million views.
A Direct Challenge to the NFL
Harris didn’t stop at criticism — he made a defiant promise that could reshape the entertainment landscape around the Super Bowl.
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“If the NFL keeps Bad Bunny as its headliner, then I’ll personally fund and organize an ‘All-American Halftime Show’ right here in Washington, D.C. — featuring artists who represent what this country stands for: faith, family, and freedom.”
According to insiders, Harris has already begun reaching out to several major production firms and music agents to begin planning what some are calling the “counter-Super Bowl spectacle.”
A close associate of Harris confirmed to The Washington Ledger:
“Josh isn’t bluffing. He’s serious about making a point. He believes this league needs to reconnect with the fans who built it.”
The Bad Bunny Controversy That Ignited It All
The NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as the official Super Bowl halftime performer has been one of the most polarizing announcements in recent history. While millions of fans celebrate the move as a nod to global diversity, others — particularly traditional football audiences — have expressed deep frustration.
Petitions demanding his removal have already surpassed 35,000 signatures, led largely by fan communities in Washington, Dallas, and Pittsburgh.
Critics argue that Bad Bunny’s performances have grown “too political,” pointing to previous concerts that included controversial imagery and slogans. Supporters, however, insist that he represents cultural evolution and creativity.
And now, with Harris’ bold challenge, the issue has exploded into what many analysts are calling “the biggest culture war in NFL history.”
Commanders Players Caught in the Crossfire
While Josh Harris’ comments were personal, the shockwaves have inevitably reached his team. Reporters at the Commanders’ training facility said the atmosphere on Sunday morning was “electric, tense, and uncertain.”
Star receiver Terry McLaurin was asked about Harris’ remarks and gave a cautious response:
“I think he’s passionate about what he believes in. We all want football to stay about football. That’s what matters to us as players.”
Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is preparing to start Monday’s game, added:
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“I respect the owner for speaking his mind. Everyone wants the sport to reflect unity — not division.”
Coach Dan Quinn tried to steer the focus back to the field but acknowledged the distraction:
“We can’t control what’s happening off the field. What we can control is how we play. But yeah, we’ve all seen the clip.”
The League’s Response — Silence and Strategy
The NFL’s front office has so far chosen to stay silent. No official statement has been released addressing Harris’ outburst or the rising petition movement.
However, league insiders have confirmed that Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL Entertainment Committee held an emergency call late Saturday night to discuss “the growing public relations storm.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Goodell is “deeply concerned” about the escalating tone of the debate, particularly as it now involves an owner directly challenging the league’s entertainment direction.
“This is unprecedented,” Schefter reported. “You’ve got a sitting owner calling out the Super Bowl production on moral grounds — that’s not something the NFL is built to handle quietly.”
The Organizers’ Stunning Response
Hours after Harris’ interview went viral, a spokesperson for the Super Bowl Entertainment Committee finally broke the silence in what many are calling a calculated, icy statement:
“The Super Bowl halftime show has always celebrated creativity, diversity, and global connection. The choice of performers reflects the values of inclusivity and progress that define modern America.”
The tone of the message, notably void of any mention of Josh Harris or his remarks, was interpreted by many as a subtle but firm rejection of his criticisms.
Yet, it also left room for speculation — especially as organizers declined to address whether the performance lineup might be modified or expanded.
The ambiguity only intensified the storm, with fans and analysts dissecting every word. One sports commentator on FOX Sports Radio said:
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“That statement was polite, but it said everything — they’re standing by Bad Bunny. And that means this fight is far from over.”
Washington’s Reaction — A City in Shock and Silence
As news outlets replayed Harris’ interview on loop, reactions in Washington ranged from admiration to disbelief. Many fans expressed pride in their owner for “speaking truth to the league,” while others worried about the potential fallout with NFL leadership.
At FedExField, where fans gathered for early pre-game festivities, the mood was electric. Some held homemade signs reading “ALL-AMERICAN HALFTIME NOW,” while others wore shirts with the phrase “STAND WITH HARRIS.”
However, league officials were reportedly “unimpressed” by the growing fan movement. One unnamed executive told Sports Illustrated:
“It’s a spectacle now. The NFL doesn’t like chaos — and right now, chaos is what they’re getting.”
As night fell over D.C., social media buzz turned eerily quiet. After the organizers’ statement, many fans said they felt “deflated,” realizing the NFL had no intention of backing down — at least, not yet.
The Bigger Picture — A Super Bowl Divided
This confrontation between an NFL owner and the league itself represents more than a disagreement over music. It’s a symbol of the cultural divide shaping modern American sports — between tradition and transformation, heritage and globalism.
Marketing analyst Chris Dalton described it best:
“The Super Bowl has always been more than a game — it’s America’s mirror. And right now, that mirror is cracked.”
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Whether Harris will move forward with his All-American Halftime project remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: his words have reignited a debate that reaches far beyond football.
For now, both fans and the league are left asking the same question: Has the Super Bowl lost its soul — or is it simply evolving?
