The Chicago Bears thought they’d found their first true franchise quarterback when they selected Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
And while he didn’t play up to expectations during his rookie season, there is still reason for the Bears to be optimistic that Williams can live up to his draft position.
NFL broadcaster, Las Vegas Raiders minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady spoke about Williams’ development under new head coach Ben Johnson during Year 2 with a glass half-full perspective, predicting major progress from the pairing in 2025.
When [the Detroit Lions] got [Jared Goff] from the [Los Angeles] Rams, they thought they were getting a throwaway quarterback, and Jared has turned into an MVP-type candidate.
Now you go onto another No. 1 overall pick in Caleb that has certainly a different physical style of play. And Ben is going to have to adapt that system [he used with Goff] to the strengths of Caleb. When I saw Caleb play last year, when he was at his best the ball came out of his hands quickly. He was very decisive, he was getting to his reads quickly. And when Caleb holds the ball for a long time, it’s not as good.
There’s all these forms of development that need to take place, and when you get a great teacher like Ben Johnson, that’s gonna give Caleb the best opportunity to succeed.
Ben Johnson Predicted to Let Caleb Williams Go ‘Off Script’ With Some Regularity
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
While Johnson already has the structure of a system that has proven to work — it elevated the Lions‘ offense in each of his three seasons as offensive coordinator there and helped the team win two consecutive NFC North division titles in 2023 and 2024 — the Bears coach will obviously tweak it for Williams.
However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN predicted on Thursday, September 4, that Johnson is also going to give his young quarterback more rope to work outside of the system than training camp and the preseason might have indicated.
Now that we’re past the preseason, watch for the Bears to flash some creativity to maximize quarterback Caleb Williams,” Fowler wrote. “My sense from people in Chicago is that while head coach Ben Johnson would coach Williams relentlessly on the basics throughout camp, they would eventually play to Williams’ strengths, utilizing his mobility and off-platform throwing as an off-script playmaker. Bears fans could see more of that in the regular season.
Bears Added Talent to Pass-Catching Group, Offensive Line During Offseason
GettyChicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III.
Chicago revamped its group of playmakers, adding tight end Colston Loveland and slot wide receiver Luther Burden III with the Nos. 10 and 39 picks, respectively, in the 2025 draft.
The team also focused on shoring up the offensive line via trades and free agency, which will result in two new starting guards and a new starting center come the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on “Monday Night Football” September 8.
Williams took a league-leading 68 sacks last season. And while much of that was the offensive line’s fault, Williams’ tendency to hold onto the football too long was also an issue. Under Johnson’s tutelage that should be less of a problem this season, which also bodes well for a big jump from Williams in 2025.
Tom Brady Drops Strong Take on Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson Ahead of Bears’ Opener