Caleb Williams Progressing Faster Than Even His Coaches Expected

The Chicago Bears knew their mission even before the 2024 season ended. Aside from all the other things needed to fix this team, the goal for 2025 was to get the situation around Caleb Williams fixed. That meant a multifaceted approach where they overhauled almost everything from the coaching staff to the offensive line, wide receivers, and tight ends. No position group was left untouched. The highlight of the offseason was reeling in Ben Johnson as their new head coach. He's celebrated as one of the best offensive minds in the league and, hopefully, a perfect partner for Williams.

However, patience is always needed in these situations. Even with Johnson's expertise, it would take time for the young quarterback to absorb a new offense. People expected the usual updates from OTAs and minicamps. The defense was ahead of the offense, making more plays and looking better prepared. That is why it was a shock when the offense uncorked a 94-yard drive in a two-minute situation during drills, primarily thanks to Williams. From how Johnson spoke about it afterward, it's clear he was pleasantly surprised by the development.

“What we thought about him was when the lights are bright that he was going to show up,” Johnson said. “And it felt like the game slowed down a little bit for him (Wednesday), and he was able to just go out and find an open guy and get a completion.”

Caleb Williams is out to prove something.

People left the 2025 season questioning if the former #1 overall pick deserved that right. After all, the guy who went directly after him reached the NFC championship. That can't be easy to hear. Caleb Williams is a competitor. He feels he is the best at what he does. If people don't believe that, he will make them. By all accounts, he has been putting in extra work every day for months. Case Keenum, his new veteran backup, has seen his time occupied by answering a barrage of questions from Williams. The Bears quarterback is determined to show everybody why he is destined for greatness. Being this far along so early in the process is a great sign of what might be coming.