# Bears QB Caleb Williams Back to Punching Bag

> Caleb Williams withstands backlash after hamstring injury but remains popular in Chicago.
- Title: Bears QB Caleb Williams Back to Punching Bag | Shortify
- Summary: Caleb Williams withstands backlash after hamstring injury but remains popular in Chicago. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned to being a punching bag…
- Keywords: caleb williams, bears, nfl, hamstring injury, chicago, social media, madden 27, bears quarterback, soldier field, news, local, Caleb
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/09/23/bears-qb-caleb-williams-is-back-to-being-a-punching-bag-but-hes-never-let-a-little-backlash-get-him-down
- Published: 2026-09-23T19:51:45.778+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: caleb williams, bears, nfl, hamstring injury, chicago, social media, madden 27, bears quarterback, qb, soldier field, news, local
## Caleb Williams
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has withstood criticism in his first three NFL seasons despite pre-draft narratives labeling him selfish, soft, and uncoachable.

> I guess I do things differently, dress, play, all these different things, [painting] my nails or whatever
## Hamstring Injury
Williams left the game against the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring injury after a 9-3 loss on September 20, 2026.
## Social Media Backlash
Williams faced criticism for his emotional reaction to the injury, including accusations of being overdramatic on social media.

> Just spelled ‘conscientious’ correctly on the first try
## Merriam-Webster Reaction
Merriam-Webster highlighted Williams' video of crying after the injury as a 'conscientious' spelling example on X.

> Just spelled ‘conscientious’ correctly on the first try
## Former Players' Criticism
Former NFL linebacker Will Compton and Emmanuel Acho criticized Williams' reaction to the injury as over the top.
## Bears Coach Support
Bears coach Ben Johnson praised Williams' resilience, saying the team would be lost without him.

> No Caleb Williams, no Chicago Bears relevancy
## Injury Impact
Williams' injury could sideline him for multiple games, but he remains a key player for the Bears.
## Social Media Strategy
Williams re-posted five items about the injury on his X account to stay motivated and entertain himself.
## Public Reaction
Williams maintains high approval in Chicago despite national criticism and social media backlash.
## Injury Recovery
Williams' recovery timeline remains uncertain, but he is expected to return to play soon.
## Bears' Future
The Bears remain focused on Williams' return as a key factor in their season success.
## Social Media Humor
Williams jokes about his reputation as a 'punching bag' by doing things others find unappealing, like painting his nails.

> I do some things that don’t harm anybody else, but things that other people don’t like and have strong opinions about
## Next Steps
Williams aims to return to the field and win games to silence critics and maintain his popularity.
## Season Impact
Williams' injury and recovery could affect the Bears' performance in upcoming games against the Eagles and other teams.
## Key takeaway

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned to being a punching bag after a hamstring injury but maintains high approval in Chicago despite criticism.