The Detroit Lions narrowly escaped with a win against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. Despite appearing to have control of the game, a late surge by the Bears kept things tense until the end.

For head coach Dan Campbell, however, that close call wasn’t entirely unexpected. Campbell was well aware of some of Caleb Williams’ tendencies and made sure his team was prepared.

As wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown revealed on his podcast (via Dov Kleiman), Campbell gave his players and even the officials a heads-up. He specifically warned them about one of Williams’ signature moves — faking as if he’s running out of bounds and then cutting back into play. Campbell didn’t hold back, stating that if Williams tried it, his players would deliver a hard hit to prevent him from taking advantage.

This move is one of Williams’ trademarks, often catching defenders off guard and leading to significant yardage. However, Campbell was determined to set the tone, even if it meant giving up some penalty yards. His approach highlighted a larger issue with the rules surrounding quarterbacks in such situations.

Quarterbacks often benefit from rules that favor their protection, and Williams is a prime example of a smart player leveraging those rules to his advantage. While that’s not inherently wrong, it can create unfair advantages, allowing quarterbacks to make plays they otherwise couldn’t.

Campbell’s stance reflects a growing sentiment among defenses. Many teams are beginning to adopt a more physical approach to counter these tactics, even if it risks drawing penalties. For them, the priority is sending a clear message and ensuring that quarterbacks think twice before pulling similar moves.

Still, there’s a fine line to walk. While enforcing physicality may curb such tactics, it also raises concerns about potential injuries. As teams continue to adapt, the league may need to revisit these rules to strike a balance between player safety and competitive fairness.