Undrafted rookie receiver Jahdae Walker entered Saturday night's first-place clash against the Packers without ever having a pass thrown in his direction in an NFL regular season game.
But when the Bears needed a touchdown to force overtime on fourth-and-4 in the waning seconds, quarterback Caleb Williams did not hesitate to target Walker, who leaped high to haul in the 6-yard TD pass in the right corner of the end zone, deftly getting both feet inbounds.
Walker's first NFL touchdown was his second reception of the night and tied the score 16-16 with :24 remaining. The Bears ultimately won the game 22-16 in overtime on Williams' 46-yard TD pass to DJ Moore, extending their lead atop the NFC North to one-and-a-half games over Green Bay with two contests remaining.
"I know to the people that haven't been in the building, it's like 'Oh my gosh, you're going to the undrafted rookie on fourth down,'" said coach Ben Johnson. "Well, we see what he does every single week. We see how he goes about his business. There's a reason why we didn't want to expose him to the waiver wire and someone poach him after the preseason. We see a bright future for this guy. He's done nothing but steadily improve over the course of the season. The coaches trust him. Caleb trusts him."
That trust with Williams began to form shortly after the rookie signed with the Bears. Walker temporarily moved in with Williams before finding a place of his own, and the two have become close friends.
Walker shared a story with reporters Monday about receiving a text from Williams after a home game earlier this season asking if the receiver would meet him to work out at Halas Hall that same night.
"We went to the indoor [facility] and we were in there for like 3-4 hours, just going through routes, running through routes," Walker said. "He was working on his scramble drill. That showed me how much of a leader he is, how much he cares, his process, his work ethic, and how he performs, the way he prepares for each game. It's crazy."
The bond between Walker and Williams is also apparent in the locker room after practice when they play two-on-two basketball around-the-world shooting contests against defensive teammates.
The strong rapport that they continue to build no doubt was a significant factor in their game-tying TD against Green Bay.
"I love Jahdae, man," Williams said. "His character, his energy is infectious. Him having that moment is big for him in his career, big for him, for us, for everybody here … I told him a couple weeks ago walking back from the indoor [facility], when your opportunity shows and presents itself, you need to secure your moment … make the plays for your career, for your life, for your family, and that's something that he did."
Prior to Saturday night, Walker had played only eight offensive snaps this season. But with injuries sidelining Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, the Texas A&M product was on the field for 17 plays.
Walker credited his success versus Green Bay to "really just trying to be ready when my number's called."
"It has been a long season, and I am just trying to be the best teammate I can, going to work every day just being me," he said. "Being with this staff, they've allowed me to by myself. And I have just tried to show great energy and effort."
That energy and effort—combined with a magnetic personality—endeared Walker to his teammates and coaches as soon as he joined the Bears. He exhibited boundless enthusiasm throughout the offseason program and continuing during the dog days of training camp.
"I've been energetic my whole life," Walker said. "During camp, it was fun, for real. Every day felt like recess. Every day I just get to play the game I love and do it with the people I love, so I mean, can't go wrong."
Walker ultimately became the only undrafted rookie to earn a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster due in large part to his performance in the preseason. He caught three passes for 41 yards, including a 15-yard TD on a fade pattern, against the Dolphins and had three receptions for 37 yards, including a game-winning 6-yard TD, versus the Chiefs.
The gravity of what Walker was accomplishing just four years after beginning his college career at Division II Grand Valley State created a pinch-me-I-can't-believe-this-is-really-happening moment for him.
"It was in the middle of the preseason," Walker said. "I took a step back and called my uncle. I was on the phone with him, and I was bawling in tears, just about how much I accomplished. I didn't even make the 53 yet, but I was just telling him how grateful I was to play the game.
"He saw me go from D-II to the SEC. He's seen everything. He's seen how much I worked. I just feel like it's finally paying off, and that's all I kept saying to him: 'It's finally paying off.' And he was like, 'You don't even know, [but] it's just starting.'"
