Chicago Bears Jahdae Walker Ben Johnson Quote: Undrafted Rookie WR First NFL TD Clutch Catch Forces OT in Bears vs Packers Week 16 Miracle Comeback 22-16 Soldier Field (Caleb Williams DJ Moore Walk-Off TD, Rome Odunze Luther Burden Injury Hero)
Bears HC Ben Johnson praises Jahdae Walker after undrafted rookie WR’s game-tying TD vs Packers (Caleb Williams pass, 4th down Cover 0). Bears 22-16 OT win (onside kick Josh Blackwell, Cairo Santos FG, DJ Moore walk-off) clinches NFC North control 11-4. Injuries Rome Odunze Luther Burden no problem – next man up! #DaBears #BearsVsPackers #NFLWeek16
Dramatic Bears vs Packers Week 16 Comeback: From 10 Points Down to 22-16 OT Victory at Soldier Field
In one of the wildest NFL Week 16 finishes of 2025, the Chicago Bears staged an improbable rally against the rival Green Bay Packers on December 20 at Soldier Field, winning 22-16 in overtime to seize a 1.5-game lead in the NFC North at 11-4.
Trailing 16-6 with under five minutes left, Cairo Santos drilled a 43-yard field goal, Josh Blackwell recovered a stunning onside kick (bobbled by Packers’ Romeo Doubs), and Caleb Williams orchestrated a 53-yard touchdown drive capped by a 6-yard fourth-down strike to undrafted rookie WR Jahdae Walker – his first NFL catch and TD – tying the game with 24 seconds left.
In OT, the Bears’ D stuffed Malik Willis (filling in after Jordan Love’s concussion exit) on 4th-and-1, setting up Williams’ 46-yard bomb to DJ Moore for the walk-off dagger past Keisean Nixon. This “Cardiac Bears” thriller (as ESPN dubbed it) echoed their resilient 2025 season under HC Ben Johnson, proving depth trumps stars amid injuries.
Ben Johnson’s Postgame Praise: “We Always Knew We Could Count on Jahdae Walker” – Trust in Undrafted Rookie WR Pays Off Big
Bears head coach Ben Johnson stole the spotlight in postgame interviews, validating his faith in Jahdae Walker: “We see what he does every single week. We see how he goes about his business. There’s a reason we didn’t expose him to the waiver wire… The coaches trust him. Caleb trusts him.” (Direct quote from Yahoo Sports, USA Today Bears Wire).
Johnson noted the play call adjusted to Green Bay’s Cover 0 blitz – Walker was the hot read primary, hauling in Williams’ fadeaway under pressure for the game-tying TD. “It was one of those plays where depending on the coverage, it would change who the primary was,” Johnson explained (CHGO Bears). Walker earned a game ball alongside Santos, Blackwell, and Moore – Johnson’s “Good, Better, Best” locker room speech highlighted the “next man up” ethos that’s defined Chicago’s injury-plagued but explosive 2025 (most rushing yards since Week 6 at 171.1 YPG).
Johnson, ex-Lions OC who engineered Detroit’s top-ranked offenses, has flipped the Bears from perennial losers to 11-4 contenders. His scheme – creative timing routes, run-heavy (D’Andre Swift/Kyle Monangai duo) – thrives on trust. Walker, a 6’3″ Texas A&M product (4.43 speed), impressed in preseason with TDs but was buried behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III. Kept off waivers for his “infectious energy” (Caleb Williams), Walker’s pro day: stayed at Williams’ house pre-season, building QB chemistry. PFF graded him 75.6 (team-high WR), proving Johnson’s eye for undrafted gems (Bears high on him since UDFA signing post-2025 Draft).
Jahdae Walker’s Underdog Rise: From Preseason Flash to NFL Debut TD Hero vs Packers (No Receptions Before Week 16)
Jahdae Walker‘s path is pure NFL fairy tale: Undrafted post-2025 Draft (Grand Valley State → Texas A&M, 6’3″/206, reliable hands), signed by Bears for special teams/special sauce. Preseason fireworks: 15-yard TD grabs vs Dolphins/Chiefs (Case Keenum/Tyson Bagent), earning 53-man roster spot despite depth (Moore, Odunze #9 pick, Burden #2 WR). Mostly ST snaps (11 in Week 1), but Halas Hall buzz: “Blessed for the opportunity… unique ability to energize” (FOX Sports). No regular-season catches pre-Packers – until history.
With Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) ruled out (Adam Schefter), Bears turned to depth: Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay, practice squad Maurice Alexander. Walker stepped up: First catch – 15-yard opener – then red-zone magic on 4th-and-4 vs blitz (Packers Cover 0). “I love it. He was ready,” DJ Moore said (CHGO). Caleb: “Jahdae is my guy… character infectious.” (Sean Hammond, Tribune). First TD ever, forcing OT in NFC North decider (Bears split series after Week 14 L 28-21).
Walker’s tools: Size/speed red-zone mismatch (preseason prowess), route polish from A&M. Ben Johnson protected him: “All options on table but we see bright future.” (Bears Wire). Game ball cemented: Locker room heroes (Santos 3/3 FGs, Blackwell onside recovery). X memes: “Jahdae > Packers 1st-rd Golden” (BearsShowYo). Future? Playoff red-zone weapon as Bears eye NFC North crown (win 1 of 2: @49ers, vs Lions).
Caleb Williams Clutch Gene Shines: Game-Tying TD to Walker, Walk-Off to DJ Moore Seals Bears NFC North Grip
Caleb Williams authored career highs: 250 pass yds, 2 TDs (both massive). 4th-qtr fade to Walker (Louvre-worthy, Sun-Times), OT bomb to DJ Moore (46 yds, beat Nixon). “Iceman” (Barstool) under blitz – Williams’ poise echoes Johnson’s “clutch endorsement.” Bears lead NFC North (1.5 over 9-5-1 Packers, Lions 8-6); playoff lock with Lions loss/tie (No. 2 seed chase vs Rams/Seahawks). Run game (Monangai 77.9 PFF, Swift questionable groin) balanced: 2nd NFL rushing post-Wk6.
Packers imploded: Love concussion (helmet-to-helmet Austin Booker, roughed passer flags), Willis TD to Doubs but OT fumble snap (4th-1 fail). No Micah Parsons (ACL), injuries galore (Christian Watson chest?).
Ben Johnson’s Culture Shift: Injuries No Match for Bears Depth – NFC North, Playoffs in Sight (11-4 Record)
Johnson’s $13M hire (Athletic) transformed Bears: From 0-2 to 5-0 Nov, best Dec ball (predicted). Injuries ravaged WRs (Odunze/Burden out, Keenan Allen gone), but “rare team” never quits (Sun-Times). 4 game balls: Walker, Santos, Blackwell, Moore. Philosophy: Prep like starters (Walker practiced daily). Playoffs: Bears clinch with win (vs SF/Det) or GB/Lions help. X: “BEARS WIN! WALK IT OFF” (NFL 21K likes), “Cardiac Bears” (ESPN).
Walker’s Future: Bigger role? Red-zone beast complements Moore (game balls), Williams chemistry unbreakable.
Bears’ 2025: From underdogs to NFC North favorites – Johnson’s vision, Walker’s leap prove: Depth wins rings. #BearDown – league now knows: Count on Chicago.
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