Bears record team’s earliest pick-six vs. 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Cailf — On the 49ers‘ first offensive play Sunday, cornerback Jaylon Johnson jumped a slant pass from quarterback Brock Purdy to receiver Jauan Jennings. The ball ricocheted off Johnson’s left shoulder pad and bounced into the arms of linebacker T.J. Edwards at the 49ers’ 34. He returned the ball for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

It was the earliest pick-six in Bears history since records were first kept in 1978. In 2014, safety Ryan Mundy returned an interception for a touchdown 23 seconds into the game. Edwards crossed the goal line 15 seconds into Sunday night’s game.

The last NFL team to score a touchdown on their opponent’s first offensive play was the Bills, who had a pick-six against the Colts on Nov. 10, 2024.

The Bears lead the NFL in interceptions. Sunday, Edwards became their ninth different defender to pick off a pass.

Hurt Niners

General manager John Lynch said earlier in the week that tight end George Kittle, who sprained his ankle Monday night in Indianapolis, would be a game-time decision. Ninety minutes before kickoff, though, he was ruled out.

Trent Williams, one of the best left tackles of his generation, quickly joined him. Williams hurt his hamstring on the first drive of the game and never returned.

Kittle has 52 catches for 599 yards this season. The Madison, Wis., native grew up a Bears fan.

Samurai-approved

Mike Singletary thinks the Bears have found their quarterback.

The former Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker — and the 49ers’ head coach from 2008-10 — told TMZ that Caleb Williams has shown the leadership traits of a franchise quarterback.

“The thing that I like about him so far is that it’s not really about him,” he said. “I see him being a leader. And that’s something that, to see a young quarterback be able to exude that kind of leadership early on and have the team rally around him knowing that something good is going to happen, that’s special. I’m hoping that carries over to the playoffs.”

Notes

• In the first quarter, the 49ers punted for the first time since Nov. 30.

• Former Bears and 49ers kicker Robbie Gould was the 49ers’ honorary captain.

• Rather than name his college or high school in NBC’s patented player introductions, quarterback Caleb Williams said hi to his mom. Cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson shouted out his position coach, saying he hailed from “Al Harris University.”

• After previously ruling out receiver Rome Odunze (foot), the Bears made third-string quarterback Case Keenum, guard Luke Newman, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite and cornerback Dallis Flowers inactive.