Despite not having played a preseason game under new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams is already attracting significant attention, fueled by impressive statistics and rising expectations. Williams is viewed as a strong contender to finish within the Top 10 fantasy quarterbacks this season, an outlook supported by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and sparked by his performance and improvements in the Bears’ offensive line.
Known for throwing 4,000 yards and completing 70 percent of his passes last season, Williams’ fantasy prospects are bolstered by league rankings that place his predicted touchdowns among the top quarterbacks. His 20 touchdown passes in 2024 tied for 11th place across the NFL.
Offensive Line Enhancements Elevate Williams’ Potential
PFF highlights the major changes made to Chicago’s offensive line, noting that Williams’ previous struggles with pass protection will likely diminish this season. Last year, he dealt with the highest number of sacks in the league at 43, alongside 225 pressures. The Bears responded by signing key players Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson to solidify the unit.
Williams finished as the QB16 in 2024 despite major offensive line issues; he was sacked a league-high 43 times and pressured 225 times. That unit has been completely revamped heading into 2025 with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson.
—Pro Football Focus
Ben Johnson’s Influence Shapes High Expectations for Williams
Ben Johnson’s reputation for developing quarterbacks adds confidence to Williams’ outlook for the upcoming season. Johnson served as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions before joining the Bears and helped Jared Goff consistently rank as a Top-10 fantasy quarterback during his three seasons there.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson also brings a strong track record of quarterback production, having helped Jared Goff finish as a Top-10 fantasy quarterback in all three of his seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator: QB6 in 2024, QB7 in 2023 and QB10 in 2022.
—Pro Football Focus
Williams Embraces Pressure and Sets Ambitious Goals
Williams himself remains undeterred by the increased expectations, affirming that he welcomes the challenge this season. He openly supports the numeric targets set by Johnson and is motivated to achieve new milestones rarely reached by Bears quarterbacks in recent history.
Why not strive for those numbers and shoot for the Moon? My goal is to have big success as Bears’ quarterback.
—Caleb Williams
Comparing Fantasy Prospects Across the NFC North
PFF’s fantasy football predictions for the Bears’ divisional rivals offer further context to Williams’ projected rise. Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown remains a first-round worthy pick, while the Green Bay Packers’ tight end Tucker Kraft is gaining recognition as a solid receiving threat. Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings running back performance forecasts suggest a regression closer to his 2024 output as opposed to his less stellar 2025 form thus far.
The Bigger Picture: What Williams’ Success Means for the Bears
The Chicago Bears’ extensive offseason efforts, particularly in strengthening their offensive line, signal a commitment to maximizing Caleb Williams’ talents. His projected Top 10 fantasy finish not only raises hopes among fantasy football enthusiasts but also sets a standard for the team’s aspirations on the field. With coach Ben Johnson’s quarterback development experience and Williams’ own determination, the Bears could demonstrate a more potent and resilient offense in the coming season.
How this translates into wins and fan excitement remains to be seen, but early indicators suggest that the Bears are positioning themselves to be a formidable presence in the NFC North.