Sure, the organized team activities, aka OTAs, don’t involve any real physical contact, but it’s still a trill to finally see teams on the field, prepping for the upcoming season for the first time in months. So, when the Chicago Bears started their OTAs, lots of eyes were on the team, especially with new head coach Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions in the fold.
One guy who was really in the spotlight during OTAs was franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. He was a rookie last season but wasn’t able to pull off the groundbreaking difference that many thought he would early in his career.
Now, Williams is working closely with Johnson, and it may already be making a difference.
Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears
In a June 12 feature for Bleacher Report, Gary Davenport lays out the biggest winners and losers from the 2025 OTAs throughout the NFL. In the piece, he notes that OTAs and mandatory minicamps are “an exciting time for fans” and offer a first chance for fans “to see their favorite team’s 2025 iteration together on the practice field.”
He adds that the fanbase gets “to get a glimpse of the veteran quarterback the team brought in to lead the offense. To see the first-round rookie edge-rusher interact with the rest of the defense.”
But, Davenport also admits that these times can also bring overreaction, which is so true. If a quarterback or key player isn’t performing well right away, the fanbase might freak out.
For the Bears, he loves how Williams is looking on the field, noting that “whether workouts have been voluntary or mandatory, at least one prominent Bears player has been a constant at the team’s facility—second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.”
Davenport adds that “talent was never the question with Williams, as he’s always had the ability to improvise and make accurate throws off-platform. Williams’ rookie struggles were more a matter of sometimes trying to do too much—and getting sacked or making a poor decision as a result.”
Caleb Williams is ‘Committed’
So, it appears Johnson is already working well with Williams, and the coach told reporters of Williams, “He’s committed to learning the offense. We’re not where we need to be yet as a team. He understands that. Any chance he gets to get a few more full-speed reps, sounds like he wants them.”
“If Williams can come close to matching his physical talents and mental understanding of the game,” Davenport states, “then a Bears team that focused its entire offseason on improving around him could be a real factor in the NFC North.”
On the flipside, the Detroit Lions are not looking so great, according to Davenport. He says that while it’s early, “the new-look offense of the Detroit Lions is going through some growing pains.”
“First came the somewhat surprising news that star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was sitting out OTAs after having knee surgery in the offseason,” he added. “St. Brown is supposed to be fine for the start of camp, but St. Brown is the sort of surprise no fanbase wants.”
