As the Chicago Bears get ready for training camp, there are plenty of questions surrounding the entire quarterback position, which will make for a fun summer.
Caleb Williams
This is not quite a make-or-break year, but you can be sure that if Williams does not take even the slightest step forward, then the dial will be turned all the way up on him next season. This is expected to be a year where we finally see why Williams was such a no brainer for the top pick in the draft.
He has Ben Johnson, and the team spent serious money and draft capital on the offensive line. Speaking of draft capital, the receiving room now features two top ten picks in Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland, along with second-round rookie Luther Burden. That does not include D.J. Moore, the highly paid veteran in the group.
Williams has to play within the system, he has to display good body language, and has to show that he can be a leader for this roster.
Tyson Bagent
Last year, around this time, the Bears had Brett Rypien on the roster, and the thought was that he could push the UDFA who shined in his limited chances. Bagent beat him with ease, but this year the Bears brought in a bit of a better contender to push Bagent. Whether or not he can hold down the backup job through three, or technically four offensive coordinators if you cound Thomas Brown, will be worth watching.
Case Keenum
Case Keenum has not just started in the NFL; he has won a playoff game. Yes, that was a long time ago, but he started as recently as 2023. Keenum knows his role is to be a leader around Williams and even Bagent, and that alone may get him a nod in the backup job competition. It will be fun to watch.
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Austin Reed
Austin Reed spent a year on the practice squad, and he is trending to spend his second year there as well. Still, he had moments in the preseaso,n and it will be fun to track his progression in year two, and with a new offense. He could carve out a long NFL career, even if it as a depth player.