Caleb Williams may be winning awards for sportsmanship, but his competitive fire came blazing through during a surprising post-game moment this week, when he delivered a brutally honest take on his NFC North rivals. After Sunday’s intense matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback didn’t hold back when asked about his failed attempt to join in on the iconic Lambeau Leap celebration.
“Packers fans suck,” Williams said flatly during the post-game press scrum. “We’re out here playing a great game, showing respect to the history and rivalry, and they can’t even let a guy have a little fun? That’s wild to me.”
The comment sent shockwaves through NFL circles and social media exploded with opinions. In the fourth quarter, after Williams scored a dramatic rushing touchdown to close the gap in what was a tense divisional battle, he ran toward the stands at Lambeau hoping to execute the signature leap. Instead of cheers or open arms, Williams was met with boos, cold stares, and even a spilled beer from a disgruntled Packers fan.
Videos of the incident quickly went viral, showing the moment fans visibly rejected the attempt and security gently ushered Williams back to the sideline. What began as a light-hearted tribute to a longtime NFL tradition quickly devolved into a fresh chapter of Bears-Packers rivalry lore.
The Packers organization has not issued a formal statement, but sources close to the team say they were not pleased with the gesture. A team official was overheard saying, “The Lambeau Leap is sacred. It’s for Packers players, not rivals trying to troll us on our own turf.”
Williams, however, made it clear he didn’t see it that way. “I wasn’t trying to mock anyone,” he said. “I was having a blast in one of the NFL’s most historic stadiums. I thought it would be a cool moment—one football fans would appreciate. But they shut it down real quick. Guess it just proves how deep the rivalry runs.”
While Bears fans rallied behind their quarterback with chants of “Let Him Leap” on Twitter and at Soldier Field, Packers Nation was far less forgiving. Sports talk radio in Wisconsin lit up with callers demanding an apology, and some went as far as to call the rookie “classless” despite his otherwise glowing reputation.
Still, others in the league saw the moment differently. “Honestly, I loved it,” said former NFL quarterback and analyst Robert Griffin III. “It’s the kind of fire you want from a young QB. He’s not just here to play—he’s here to leave his mark.”
The controversy is sure to add fuel to the already fiery Bears-Packers rivalry, and fans are circling their calendars for the rematch in Chicago later this season. If Williams finds the end zone again, don’t be surprised if he tries another leap—this time at Soldier Field, with plenty of hands ready to catch him.
Love him or hate him, Caleb Williams is making the NFL pay attention. Whether it’s through awards, on-field highlights, or unfiltered quotes, this rookie quarterback has proven he’s not here just to play. He’s here to lead, provoke, and—occasionally—leap.