Bears QB Caleb Williams credited defense replacements for stepping up

In their Week 12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chicago Bears had surprising contributions from reserve players who were called upon in the wake of several injuries.

That was most notable on defense, where the Bears were missing all three of their starting linebackers and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson also went out during the game. But Chicago was able to have players like cornerback Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud and linebackers D'Marco Jackson and Amen Ogbongbemiga all rise up to the occasion.

Having their backs against the wall on defense, the credit not only goes to the players but also defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who has yet to play with a completely healthy unit on his side of the ball. Crediting the work on the opposite of the ball, quarterback Caleb Williams understands the importance of having players step up when called upon, pointing to those contributors as a big reason for the win on Sunday.

"Yeah, it's what we needed," Williams said of the play of the defense. "We didn't expect anything less, but we are appreciative, we are proud of the guys that did step up because it was a big game for us because this was the only game we had this week. So being able to focus on that, being able to get everybody going, having confidence, having belief in themselves is important. Then from there we've got to go out and execute, and the guys did a great job today"

The Bears have had plenty of surprising success this season, but one thing that stands out the most this year is the belief that the players have in one another as a team. In Ben Johnson's first year as head coach, it's clear that players, starters and reserves alike, not only believe in themselves, but believe the team can rally together, no matter the circumstances.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QB Caleb Williams credited defense replacements for stepping up