Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, now in his second NFL season, has declared his goal to become the franchise’s first-ever 4,000-yard passer. Achieving this milestone, however, hinges largely on improving protection from the Bears offensive line, which struggled significantly during Williams’s difficult rookie year in 2024.
Last season was marked by an alarming number of sacks, with Williams being taken down 68 times—a league-high—highlighting the persistent pressure he faced. Recognizing this, Williams has expressed a strong commitment to adapting his game and supporting enhancements to the offensive line to avoid unnecessary hits in the upcoming season.
Williams Focuses on Footwork and Decision-Making to Reduce Pressure
Williams has acknowledged that improving his own technical skills will be critical to alleviating the pressure he endured as a rookie. ESPN analyst Courtney Cronin emphasized that Williams is working on three key areas: sound footwork, alignment with plays, and decisiveness during plays.
“Part of it is my footwork and that lining up with the play. That helps accelerate the clock for me. The other part is being decisive, making a decision. And then the other part is taking what the defense gives me and not trying to find that big play every time, not being that young cat and wanting to go and get that big play, that big scramble play or anything like that. Sometimes that’s just a checkdown of the ball in the flat, or the second read that may not be something more than five yards.”
—Courtney Cronin, ESPN Analyst
This approach is designed to help Williams process defenses faster and avoid forcing risky plays that often led to sacks or negative yardage. He understands that more conservative decisions, such as quick checkdowns or accepting shorter completions, could extend plays and reduce pressure from defenders.
Admitting Responsibility for Mistakes During Rookie Campaign
In a candid reflection on his rookie season, Williams accepted responsibility for “stupid sacks” that caused significant yardage losses during games, sometimes losing 10 to 14 yards per play. These costly mistakes underscored the need for him to refine his situational awareness and pocket presence, especially given the massive amount of pressure from opposing defenses.
Despite these setbacks, the Bears have taken substantial steps in the offseason to fortify the offensive line around him, signaling a long-term commitment to protecting their franchise quarterback.
Chicago Bears Revamp Offensive Line with Key Acquisitions
The Bears’ front office acted decisively by reshaping the offensive line to better shield Williams in 2025. At the forefront of these changes was the hiring of offensive tactician Ben Johnson as head coach, who is tasked with elevating the Bears’ offensive performance.
Chicago also signed veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, alongside center Drew Dalman, strengthening the core of the line. These experienced players are expected to bring stability and expertise to the unit in front of Williams.
Further competition for the left tackle position includes 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones, rookie Ozzy Trapilo, and second-year player Kiran Amegadjie, who will battle through training camp for the starting spot, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.
Statistical Challenges Reflect Room for Growth
Williams’s struggles under pressure were reflected in the numbers. His adjusted quarterback rating (QBR) finished 2024 ranked 31st among qualified NFL players, with a 46.7 mark per Pro Football Reference. This statistic highlights the gap between expectations and on-field output for the young passer.
Despite these statistics, the Bears and Williams are hopeful that offseason improvements—in coaching, preparation, and personnel—will allow him to unlock his potential and meet preseason expectations.
Intensive Offseason Preparation Focused on Fundamentals
Reflecting on his offseason work, Williams revealed the dedication he has invested in bettering his mental and physical approach to games. He emphasized spending significant time each day reviewing the playbook and honing his technique.
“Get through the playbook 30 minutes, 40 minutes, an hour each day, 24 hours every day. If you can’t give up an hour or 30 minutes to go over your playbook, you probably shouldn’t be in this position. It was just small things like that. Homework-wise, it was mainly the footwork and then some left, short throws that in OTAs [that] I was missing. So worked on that every single day that I threw and went through my footwork every day that I was out there as well.”
—Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears quarterback
This focus on fundamentals, particularly footwork and accuracy on short, left-side throws, signals Williams’s intent to reduce errors and adapt his game to the Bears’ evolving offensive strategy.
Outlook for the 2025 Season and Playoff Prospects
The Bears open the 2025 NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8, a spotlight moment to gauge the effectiveness of these changes around Williams. Betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook currently give the Bears a +160 chance of making the playoffs, reflecting cautious optimism among analysts and fans.
With the combination of a revamped offensive line, dedicated offseason preparation from Williams, and a new offensive-minded head coach, Chicago’s campaign hinges on whether these factors can coalesce to protect their quarterback and improve their offensive output.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Caleb Williams autosexual?
A. Caleb Williams recently identified as “autosexual.” This means he primarily finds himself sexually attractive and has sexual feelings directed towards himself.
Q. What happened to Caleb Williams?
A. On January 3, 2022, Williams decided to enter the transfer portal. A month later, on February 1, he revealed his move to the University of Southern California. He joined the Trojans to reunite with Lincoln Riley, who was formerly his coach at the Sooners before becoming the head coach at USC.
Q. Why does Caleb Williams wear #18?
A. Caleb Williams explained why he chose the number 18. He wore it in high school and won a championship with it. However, Keenan Allen, a 13-year veteran and Hall of Famer, already had that number. So, after a brief conversation, Caleb agreed to select a different number.
Q. Why did Caleb Williams cry after the game?
A. Williams remembered sitting in a rough spot, feeling worn out and beaten. Then, he got up, hugged his mom, and broke down. For him, crying wasn’t a weakness; it showed how much he cared about the sport.