By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) leaves the field after the team's 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Los Angeles Rams mob kicker Harrison Mevis as they celebrate their overtime win over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears fans react after the overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman (53) celebrates after a pass from Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) to Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) is incomplete on fourth and goal in the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) celebrates his intereception in front of Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) walks off after throwing an interception to Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) makes an interception of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams kicker Harrison Mevis (92) makes the game-winning field goal against the Chicago Bears in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat walks off the field after the overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams fans celebrate after the Rams beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC divisional playoff game 20-17 in overtime at Soldier Field on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) walks off the field after losing the NFC divisional playoff game to the Los Angeles Rams 20-17 in overtime at Soldier Field on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) makes the game-tying touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams in the final seconds of the fourth quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter ahead of Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) tries to jump over Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (31) on third and goal in the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Rams cornerback Cobie Durant intercepts a Caleb Williams pass in front of Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III in the third quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) in the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bears safety Elijah Hicks (22) puts his arm around safety Jaquan Brisker (9) after losing the NFC divisional playoff game to the Rams 20-17 in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams defense in the third quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams jogs off the field after failing to convert a third down against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates running for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams defense in the third quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson (90) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and forces a fumble that Stafford recovered in the third quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) celebrates with Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens (26) after intercepting a pass in overtime of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) takes the ball form Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) but Nacua was ruled down by contact in the fourth quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary gets the crowd going in the fourth quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Fans watch in the snow as the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams face off Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) runs the ball against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (31) in the first quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks away from Bears defense after the Brisker made a big tackle in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, left, celebrates his touchdown against the Rams on the first play of the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (31) in the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) gets tackled by Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) celebrates after the special teams stopped the Los Angeles Rams on the return in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) sacks Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) can’t stop the pass to Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (18) in the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) celebrates a defensive stop against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) tackles Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) in the second quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams play in the snow Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon sacks Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in an NFC divisional playoff game Jan. 18, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) takes the field Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears fans cheer as they face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) takes the field Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Bears take the field to face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) to face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears fans cheer as they face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Fans arrive before the Chicago Bears face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Darrell B., left, and Anitra Smith dance and sing as they tailgate outside of Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong stays warm on the field before the Chicago Bears face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bears coach Ben Johnson greets his players before facing the Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Ridvan Alka, left, laughs as he tailgates outside with friends outside of Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, left, prepares to face the Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Fans take pictures with an “It’s Chicago” sign before the Chicago Bears face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Fans arrive before the Chicago Bears face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A Bears fan dances outside outside of Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
A fan carries a Rams colored trashcan outside as fans tailgate outside of Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) takes the field to face the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren watches warmups before a playoff game against the Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams fans arrive Jan. 18, 2026, before an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) leaves the field after the team's 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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The Chicago Bears were painfully close to their first NFC title game appearance in 15 years. But with Caleb Williams' third pick, a magical season began to slip from their grasp.
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