NFL Fans Can’t Believe What Mic’d Up Cameras Caught Caleb Williams Saying To Panthers HC Dave Canales During Postgame Handshake [VIDEO]
Williams is wild for this.
Caleb Williams shook Dave Canales’ hand and complimented the defense that just gave up 59. Gabe McDonald posted the mic’d-up clip from the field in Charlotte. The quote is short, but the timing is not.
“Y’all are a great defense man,” Williams said.
Chicago beat Carolina 59-37 for a combined 96 points. That is the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. Williams threw two touchdowns and ran for two more. Then he praised the unit that could not get off the field.
“Y’all are a great defense man.” – Caleb Williams
Postgame exchange between the #Bears QB and #Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
@CSLonQCN | #NFL https://t.co/GC8wdRPVJt
— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) September 13, 2026
One fan claimed it was a goat move and asked to play the audio every week.
“He’s trolling Dave right in his face 😭😭😭😭,” another wrote.
“🤦🏾♂️ no respect for Canales,” another added.
Caleb Williams Turns A Record Blowout Into A Handshake Joke
Caleb Williams. Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Bears needed the points, as Carolina kept answering. Bryce Young still put up 37. Chicago’s own defense took heat for a blitz that never arrived. Williams still walked off looking like the guy who ran the afternoon.
He finished 21-of-29 for 269 yards. He added 65 on the ground. D’Andre Swift scored three times. Kyle Monangai ripped a 61-yard touchdown.
Canales had to stand there and take the compliment. The handshake is the part that travels.
That is why the clip popped. It sounds like respect until you look at the scoreboard.
Caleb Williams Keeps Giving The Internet New Audio
Caleb Williams speaking to reporters (Photo via X)
This is not his first viral sentence of the year. He told teammates to touch each other more after touchdowns. He sat through Hot Ones and talked about falling in love with Chicago. He even changed the look and dropped the painted nails.
Ben Johnson said he could tell Williams was locked in the night before. The first-half scramble at 20-plus miles per hour backed that up. The fourth-quarter pile-on made the handshake land harder.
Canales is trying to build something around Young. Williams just used that project as a punchline without raising his voice. The cameras were always going to catch the line. The internet was always going to replay it.
Chicago wanted a statement opener. Williams gave them the points and the audio. Carolina has to live with both until next week.
