‘Generational Meme Material,’ ‘The Most Performative Player in Football’ — Packers Fans Roast Caleb Williams for Injury Reaction, Compare Him to J.J. McCarthy
· Yahoo Sports
Caleb Williams’ emotional exit from Sunday’s loss quickly became one of the most discussed moments around the NFC North. The Chicago Bears quarterback appeared to be in significant pain while leaving the field, but an MRI later revealed a hamstring injury rather than a season-ending one.
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The injury update also sparked jokes, criticism, and comparisons with another young NFC North quarterback.
NFL Fans Roast Caleb Williams While Bringing J.J. McCarthy Into Debate
Williams was carted off during Chicago’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after screaming in pain and covering his head with a towel. Monday’s MRI showed a right hamstring injury, and Bears coach Ben Johnson listed him as week-to-week.
Chicago has not ruled him out for its next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, although he is not expected to practice this week.
The footage quickly drew comparisons to J.J. McCarthy. NFL analyst Jacob Morleywrote, “This is already reaching ‘nine’ levels, and it’s not even lunch.”
This reference pointed to McCarthy’s alter ego ‘nine’, the same as his jersey number. Analyst Peter Bukowski then addressed the footage’s viral nature,writing, “This is not going to help the memes.”
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The jokes continued as fans questioned whether Williams’ reaction looked excessive in hindsight. One fan wrote, “Caleb Williams on some Key & Peele skit.”
Another fan defended the lack of sympathy by pointing to the rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay.
“People were raging that I said I didn’t care, and I thought the reactions of Packers fans saying it was “horrible” and “awful” was weird. Meanwhile, that” fanbase cheered when Love got concussed and mocked the no-call. Apathetic when it comes to divisional injuries, [expletive] happens,” the fan wrote.
The reaction also became meme material in its own right. “New generational meme material,” another fan wrote.
Another fan questioned whether Williams’ reaction was genuine
Another fan questioned whether Williams’ reaction was genuine. “Rolled around screaming, carted off crying, throwing fist ups like he just got shot. And he might play in week 3???? Nah man, Caleb Williams might be the most performative player in football,” the fan wrote.
The McCarthy comparison added another angle. Both quarterbacks were first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and play in the NFC North.A fan joked, “The Iceman saw nine on the bench and decided it was his turn to be meme #1.”
Another compared Williams’ exit to Paul Pierce’s infamous NBA Finals injury moment,writing, “Happy he’s okay but all that screaming and writhing around in pain before doing the Paul Pierce exit for a minor hamstring tweak is objectively funny no matter who you root for.”
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Another fan argued that Williams would have faced similar jokes if he played for another NFC North team. “I need Bears fans to realize that if literally any other star player cried as he was carted off for what has been reported as a minor hamstring injury, they would be having the same jokes made about them. And if it was Love or Goff, Bears fans would be leading the charge,” the fan wrote.
Williams remains week-to-week with the Bears yet to rule him out against the Eagles, but his injury has already become a major talking point — and source of memes — around the NFC North.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.