“He’s Ice Cold”: Caleb Williams Goes Shirtless in Sub-Zero Warmups
Key Takeaways
- The Moment: Bears QB Caleb Williams took the field for warmups wearing nothing but shorts and cleats in 12°F weather.
- The Reaction: The video hit 1M views in 10 minutes; Soldier Field crowd noise hit playoff levels (112 dB) before kickoff.
- Contrast: Packers players were spotted in full thermals and balaclavas on the opposing sideline.
CHICAGO — If the cold bothers Caleb Williams, he isn’t showing it. In a move straight out of the old-school NFL playbook, the Bears’ rookie quarterback just turned Soldier Field into his personal psychological playground.
Less than 90 minutes before the biggest game of his life, Williams emerged from the tunnel in the ESPN clip shirtless, jogging casually through the heavy snowfall. The temperature at the lakefront is currently 12°F with a wind chill of -5°F. While the grounds crew shoveled the yard lines, Williams threw passes with zip, steam literally rising from his shoulders.
Psychological Warfare or Rookie Mistake?
The message is loud and clear: We own the elements.
Across the 50-yard line, the Green Bay Packers looked very different. Quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ receiving corps were bundled in heavy parkas and hand warmers. When Williams began his jog, a roar went up from the early arriving crowd that sounded more like a fourth-quarter touchdown celebration than a pregame stretch.
This isn’t new in the NFL players like Ryan Shazier and Odell Beckham Jr. made the “shirtless warmup” famous but doing it as a quarterback in your first home playoff game? That is a statement.
ESPN Field Reporter: “I’m standing here in three layers and I can’t feel my face. Williams just walked past me smiling. The energy in this stadium just shifted entirely to Chicago.”
The “Bear Weather” Factor
The conditions are deteriorating fast. Snow accumulation is now at two inches and counting. By going shirtless, Williams is trying to prove that the freezing grip of the ball won’t affect his mechanics.
Key Stats for Tonight:
- Caleb Williams (Last 5 Games): 12 TDs, 2 INTs, 104.5 Rating.
- Temperature at Kickoff: Forecasted to drop to 9°F.
- Wind Gusts: 25-30 mph form the North.
What They Said
Social media exploded the moment the video dropped.
“That’s my QB. No fear. Green Bay is already shivering.” — Bears Fan via X
“Bold strategy. Let’s see if he can feel his fingers in the 4th quarter.” — Packers Beat Writer
What This Means for the Game
Momentum is real, and right now, Chicago has it. The Packers are technically the more experienced playoff team, but Williams just framed this game as a toughness contest rather than a chess match. If the Bears can run the ball and hit hard early, the crowd—fueled by this pregame stunt—will make communication impossible for the Packers’ offense.
Updated Verdict: The “Intangibles” meter just swung heavily toward the Bears.
