In the immediate aftermath of the Chicago Bears‘ thrilling overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, quarterback Caleb Williams celebrated with his team, did a post-game interview and then look a victory lap around Soldier Field.

Celebrating with a fanbase that had not seen their team defeat Green Bay at home since 2018, with first place on the line in Week 16, Williams was able to take the moment in completely and felt it necessary to give back to those in attendance.

Given the uncertainty of the future home of the Bears coming up in conversation leading into the game, Soldier Field was expected to rocking all game on Saturday night, until the Packers took the excitement out of the game. Leading 16-6 late into the fourth quarter, the Soldier Field crowd fell silent, until things slowly start to fall the way of Chicago, with an onside kick, a touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker, and then the overtime touchdown pass to DJ Moore for the win. After the game, Williams explained why he took his lap around the stadium, and why it mattered to him.

“We put it out there this week that we needed the fans, that we want the fans to be proud to be a Chicago Bear fan,” Williams said. “So I wanted to give my thanks and they were a big part of the game today. Like I said, when we go on the road, when we’re home, I want them to travel well. I want them to be here. I want them to show out. I want them to be proud. So like I said, I wanted to go around and give my thanks to them.”

The fans in attendance got their thanks not only from the quarterback’s celebration but in his play as well, putting together what could go down as one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history. Not only did the Bears get a 1.5 game lead over the Packers in the NFC North with their win on Saturday, but with the Detroit Lions losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Chicago clinched their first playoff berth since 2020. If all goes well, the city of Chicago and Bears fans, may be in line to get to witness a home playoff game this postseason.

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