How is Williams holding up in the midst of the Bears’ collapse?

Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown met virtually with reporters Tuesday, a day after the team lost its eighth straight game, 30-12, at the Minnesota Vikings to tie the franchise’s second-longest losing streak.

Monday night’s national audience got to see how the Bears went from being predicted to compete for a playoff spot to 4-10. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense again struggled to build any momentum in the first half while the defense couldn’t stop the Vikings on third and fourth down.

The Bears enter a difficult stretch to end the season, playing three games in 11 days, with the Detroit Lions coming to town Sunday. Here are three of the most interesting things Brown said Tuesday.

On Caleb Williams’ mental state, development

For many inside Halas Hall, putting Williams in the best position to develop was the Bears’ most important goal heading into the season. Monday was the latest example of how they accomplished the opposite.

The Vikings sacked Williams twice and hit him three more times. Williams has been sacked a team-record 58 times this season, 18 shy of the NFL record set by former Houston Texans quarterback David Carr in 2002. That continued lack of protection comes on the heels of the Bears firing former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after nine games and relieving former head coach Matt Eberflus after 12 games.

Williams described his rookie season as “frustrating and encouraging” after Monday night’s game. Despite the adversity, Brown said Williams is holding up well physically and mentally after a night of taking more hits.

“I think (Caleb) is in a good spot,” Brown said. “Of course he’s frustrated like we all are from that standpoint, just not getting a result. But (his) confidence isn’t shaken.”

Williams showed some inconsistencies Monday night. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores changed up his defense a bit compared to their first meeting a month ago by pressuring Williams less and dropping players back in coverage, including on the edge. Williams struggled to adjust early, missing open receivers at times.

With three games left in the season, Williams still has opportunities to grow. Brown wants him to continue to work on his communication coming in and off the huddle. He also believes Williams can continue to develop and build good habits even with protections issues.

“I think it’s more about just understanding of trusting the reads, trusting the throws, which he’s done for the most part,” Brown said. “And contrary to popular belief, it’s still making some tight window throws and taking some calculated risks.”

On belief in the defense

Barely two minutes into Monday’s game, Brown made a bold decision on the Bears’ first drive of the game. Brown decided to go for a first down facing fourth-and-1 from the Bears’ 39-yard line.

The gamble didn’t work. Bears running back D’Andre Swift took a toss to the left and ran into a group of players for no gain. The Vikings went on to score off a 52-yard field goal after starting their possession in Bears territory.

Brown said his decision showed he was confident in the defense’s ability to get a stop rather than thinking they’ll need to score a lot of points in order to keep up with Minnesota.

“I think it says less about that and it’s more about, ‘Hey I still trust our defense to get a stop,’” Brown said. “Which they did and forced the field goal.”

He remained confident in his defense despite a tough four-game stretch. The Bears have allowed an average of 30.25 points per game during that span and a total of 1,638 yards. The San Francisco 49ers and Vikings combined to go 13 of 26 on third down, 2 of 3 on fourth down and 8 of 10 in the red zone in the past two games.

Brown didn’t squarely blame the defense for its latest issues, saying all three phases contribute to the eye-popping numbers.

“A lot goes more into that than just in the defense by itself,” Brown said. “I think is us being able to sustain drives on offense, to put more pressure on the opponents by scoring points early in the game particularly helps out with that. And so it’s continuing to find ways to deploy our guys to make play in the best spots to have success and when you have opportunities to make plays go make them.”

On Kiran Amegadjie’s first start

Rookie left tackle Kiran Amegadjie was thrown into the fire Monday night when he made his first career start.

Amegadjie, the Bears’ third-pick from Yale, was forced to prepare for his first start with a day’s notice after starter Braxton Jones reported concussion symptoms Sunday. Brown said he felt good about Amegadjie’s repetitions behind Jones during practice, enough to earn the start over veteran Larry Borom.

“(It’s) a tough environment for anybody to make their first start on the road,” Brown said. “In a loud environment versus a defense that rushes the passer pretty good.”

Amegadjie had a first start he’d likely want to forget. He was called for a false start and twice for holding along with a declined ineligible man downfield. Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard also blew past Amegadjie in the first quarter and forced a strip sack from Williams’ blindside.

Much like with Williams, Brown remained confident Amegadjie would grow from a tough performance.

“I have full faith and belief in his ability and who he is as a person, continue to battle itself throughout the entire night and just trying to find ways to get some better answers at times,” Brown said. “We need to be able to help him out from a past protection standpoint. But to me, it’s about being able to be consistent with the message, to continue to find ways to support him and he’ll be fine.”