Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers, left, celebrates with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Dec. 28, 2025. 

The San Francisco 49ers defense didn’t get many stops against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. But the one that mattered the most may have been helped by two defenders improvising beyond Robert Saleh’s play call.

On the pivotal final play of the 42-38 win on Sunday, the 49ers defense showed a blitz, but only two players rushed at quarterback Caleb Williams. The rest of the Niner defenders either battled against Bears receivers in man coverage or sat near the end zone. It ended up being a genius move, as one of those rushers (Bryce Huff) got to Williams nearly untouched and forced the Bears QB to roll away to his left to evade his pressure. That set up Yetur Gross-Matos to rush Williams late without anyone blocking him, which sent Williams backpedaling into a wobbly throw that fell incomplete and ended the game.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Pretty much

© SFGate