If you’re refreshing your feed every five seconds to find out is Caleb Williams playing tonight, I’ve got some news for you. You can actually put the phone down for a minute.
There is no game tonight.
It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026. The Chicago Bears just pulled off a wild, heart-stopping 31-27 comeback victory against the Green Bay Packers last Saturday. It was one of those games where you’re pretty sure your heart stopped at least twice. Because of that win, the Bears are moving on, but they aren’t hitting the field tonight.
When does Caleb Williams actually play next?
The real date you need to circle is Sunday, January 18, 2026.
That’s when the Los Angeles Rams come to Soldier Field for the NFC Divisional Round. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. If you’re looking for Caleb tonight, the only place you’ll find him is probably in a film room at Halas Hall or maybe on a recorded episode of NFL Slimetime—he actually just won the "NVP" (Nickelodeon Valuable Player) award for his Wild Card performance.
Honestly, the hype is reaching a fever pitch. You’ve got a second-year quarterback who just threw for 381 yards in his playoff debut. People are calling his 4th-and-8 completion to Rome Odunze one of the greatest throws in the history of the sport. Not just Bears history. NFL history.
The injury scare: Is he 100%?
There was a moment last Saturday where every person in Chicago collectively held their breath.
Early in the third quarter, Caleb collided with Packers defensive end Barryn Sorrell. He rolled his right ankle and limped off the field. It looked bad. For a second, it felt like the typical "Bears luck" was striking again. But he’s built differently. He came back the very next drive and looked completely fine.
In his press conference this week, Caleb downplayed the whole thing. He basically said his ankles are "pliable" because he trains for exactly those kinds of awkward landings. He’s been a full participant in practice. There is zero doubt about his status for Sunday.
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Why the matchup with the Rams is huge
This isn't just another game. It’s a massive test for a guy who has spent the last year proving his skeptics wrong.
Last season, Caleb was the most sacked quarterback in the league. He went down 68 times. It was brutal to watch. This year? Under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, he’s only been sacked 24 times heading into this weekend. He’s getting the ball out faster. He’s finding his checkdowns. He’s playing like a veteran, not a 24-year-old.
Sean McVay, the Rams' head coach, has been incredibly vocal about Caleb's growth. He noted that the "maturity" Williams shows on early downs is what makes him so dangerous now. It’s not just the highlight-reel scrambles anymore; it’s the boring, smart plays that are winning games for Chicago.
Who else is on the field?
Caleb isn't doing this alone, though he's certainly the engine.
- Rome Odunze: He’s been dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, but he played through it last week. He's "questionable" on the official reports, but after that 4th-down catch, it's hard to imagine him sitting out.
- Braxton Jones: Huge news here—the Bears just activated their starting left tackle from IR. Having him back to protect Caleb’s blind side against the Rams' pass rush is a game-changer.
- Colston Loveland: The rookie tight end had 137 yards last week. He’s becoming Caleb’s favorite security blanket.
What you should do now
Since is Caleb Williams playing tonight isn't happening, you've got a few days to prep.
If you're planning on watching Sunday, the game is on NBC and streaming on Peacock. If you're a radio person, you can catch the national call on Westwood One with Kevin Harlan, which is always a treat.
Keep an eye on the Friday injury report. While Caleb is a lock, the status of the offensive line depth will tell us a lot about how much time he’ll actually have to throw against LA. If Braxton Jones is truly 100%, the Bears have a legitimate shot at the NFC Championship.
Stay tuned to the local beat reporters like Larry Mayer for the final practice updates tomorrow. For now, relax. The "Iceman" is resting up for Sunday.