Bears QB Caleb Williams Approaching ‘Bust’ Status in 2nd NFL Year

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t have the rookie year that he and most prognosticators envisioned in 2025, which has led to more doubt heading into his sophomore NFL campaign.

Williams struggled with holding onto the football too long, though poor offensive line play and injuries to that unit certainly impacted his output over the course of the season and contributed to his league-leading 68 sacks in 2024. The Bears also fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus during the campaign, which included a 10-game losing streak.

Despite those setbacks around him, Williams produced 3,541 passing yards, 20 TDs and six INTs. However, his advanced statistics paint the picture of a player who didn’t develop the same way as his counterparts like Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos and Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders.

The issues are considerable enough that John Kosko of Pro Football Focus described Williams’ floor as a “bust” on Thursday, June 26.

“[Williams] flashed big-play potential and incredible arm talent, but he struggled with accuracy and took on pressure and sacks far too often. His 63.5 PFF passing grade was the worst of the five first-round quarterbacks who saw action in 2024, as were his 54.7% accurate rate, 23.2% uncatchable-pass rate and 26.1% pressure-to-sack rate. All of the issues we saw in his final season of college football showed up in his rookie campaign.

 

Granted, top prospects who don’t put it all together as rookies are still capable of turning things around — Jared Goff is one notable example, and Bryce Young appears to have turned a corner ahead of 2025 — but struggling as badly as Williams did usually does not end well. Still, he has the talent and one of the best supporting casts in the NFL to turn it around in 2025.

Bears Hired New Head Coach Ben Johnson to Maximize Caleb Williams’ Potential

GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.

Williams has a Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 overall pick on his resumé, which indicate an uncommon level of pure talent.

If that is truly the case, then the most important things for Williams going forward are a coaching staff capable of developing his talent and the right players around him on the roster to maximize it.

Chicago hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, an offensive guru and the man who helped Goff develop into an MVP candidate last season, to guide Johnson in his second year and beyond.

Bears Have Revamped Offense Around Caleb Williams This Offseason

GettyChicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland.

Johnson wasted little time improving the roster around Williams to maximize his ceiling in Year 2.

He added three starting offensive linemen, including two guards and a center via the trade and free-agent markets, earlier this offseason.

The Bears then drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round and selected slot receiver Luther Burden III early in the second round. Both players are likely to either start or play a significant role in Chicago’s new offense under Johnson.

Should everything go well and should Williams realize his full potential, Kosko projected his ceiling as similar to that of Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.