NFL teams are gearing up for training camp, and the Chicago Bears are set to hit the field for their first practice on Wednesday. Rookies and quarterbacks reported on Saturday, with the remainder of the roster scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.
As the Bears prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes are on quarterback Caleb Williams, who NFL analyst Seth Walder identifies as the team’s clear X factor for 2025. On Monday, the ESPN analyst wrote,
“Quarterback Caleb Williams. It’s the obvious call but the right one. Williams can either ascend to meet his potential or continue to scuffle in Year 2. Which he does will be everything.
Walder added:
“Williams’ rookie numbers were poor: A 46.7 QBR (28th), 10% sack rate (31st), 5.1 yards per dropback (32nd) and a minus-1.4% completion percentage over expectation per NFL Next Gen Stats (25th). But a year of experience and new head coach Ben Johnson could be enough to unlock Williams into the quarterback the Bears dreamed he would become.”
Williams enters his second season after a record-setting but turbulent rookie year. Williams set multiple Bears rookie passing records, including 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and a 62.5% completion rate, while starting all 17 games.
However, as Walder noted, he posted a 46.7 QBR and was sacked a league-high 68 times.
Under new head coach Ben Johnson, fans anticipate improvement from Williams in his second season. The Bears have revamped their offensive line by adding veterans Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman. This provides the QB with the protection and stability that were missing last season.
