From the 10,000-foot view, Caleb Williams entered the best situation a No. 1 overall pick quarterback has ever had in 2024. But as can happen, time and the closer look time passing can bring revealed a lot that was wrong or eroding for the Chicago Bears.
By the end of the season, Williams was on his second head coach and his third offensive coordinator. He was not without blame for some of the rough spots in a rough rookie season, but some big changes were in store after the Bears narrowly avoided losing their final 11 games of last season after a 4-2 start.
Until further notice, the Bears' organizational plan has to revolve around developing Williams into the franchise quarterback his talent and draft status say he is. A league-high 68 sacks allowed last year was not all on the offensive line (a top-10 pass protection unit, according to Pro Football Focus), but an overhaul there was going to be high on the agenda for the offseason.
Bears' execution of offseason agenda gets a stamp of approval
The first thing on the offseason docket for the Bears to make sure Williams' career gets on the right track was the hiring of a new head coach, and former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is an ideal fit.
From there, the interior offensive line was overhauled with trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and the signing of center Drew Dalman in free agency.
Ozzie Trapilo was added to the offensive tackle mix in the draft, and depending on how Braxton Jones' recovery from ankle surgery progresses, he may be the Week 1 starter at left tackle opposite right tackle Darnell Wright.
Here in early June, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has ranked the 25 best moves from the 2025 NFL offseason. The Bears' overhaul of their offense took the No. 1 spot.
"This was actually a series of moves that all had the same goal—help quarterback Caleb Williams take a step forward in 2025. The hiring of one of the NFL’s top offensive minds in head coach Ben Johnson. Overhauling an offensive line that surrendered the most sacks in the league a year ago. Adding a pair of passing game weapons in the draft in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. A huge Year 2 from Williams is hardly guaranteed, but the Bears put him in position to succeed."
The Bears made a concerted effort to remove the issues that prevented Williams from consistently shining as a rookie. Now it's up to him to take advantage of that greatly improved structure, and make the jump everyone expects in his second season.