The Chicago Bears may have wrapped up mandatory minicamp last week, but quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t head for summer break just yet.
While the team continued hosting voluntary offseason workouts through Wednesday — mostly for rookies and first-year players — Williams was still out there, taking extra reps and making it clear he’s not coasting into Year 2.
“He’s committed to learning the offense,” first-year head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday. “We’re not where we need to be yet as a team, and he understands that. Any chance he gets to get a few more full-speed reps, it sounds like he wants them.”
That mindset matters.
Williams faced some skepticism heading into the offseason, stemming from reports that he and his camp explored ways to avoid landing in Chicago before the 2024 draft. But those storylines feel increasingly distant now. Johnson and Williams have been in lockstep throughout the spring, and the 23-year-old quarterback appears to be putting in the work to turn the page — both with the playbook and the franchise.
After a rocky rookie season, it’s clear the Bears are testing their new QB in just about every way.
“We’ve tried a number of different things: long play calls, multiple plays at the line. Tempo,” Johnson said. “We’ve dabbled here, there and everywhere really throughout the spring time… Some come a little bit more natural than others for him, but I do think we’ve seen him get better in really all facets.”
That versatility — and willingness to fail, learn, and adjust — could be crucial for Williams in 2025.
His rookie year was no easy ride. Williams led the league in sacks taken (68), finished 31st in adjusted QBR (46.7), and endured a 10-game losing streak. The Bears went 4-12, cycled through coordinators, and ultimately fired head coach Matt Eberflus before the season ended. It was a harsh welcome to the NFL.
Now, with Johnson at the helm and a new system being installed, the focus is on growth — and it’s already showing in the details.
“Caleb’s learning process is accelerating,” said rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II. “You can tell he’s not just here to go through the motions. He’s setting the tone.”
With summer break now here, the Bears will regroup and reset before training camp. But as far as first impressions go, it’s hard to ask for more from Williams. He’s not just sticking around — he’s stepping up.
