Everyone knows the overwhelming potential that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has. But it's all about whether he can live up to that hype in 2025. Williams certainly has the tools to get there and might even accomplish an admirable feat this season.
Sports Illustrated writer Conor Orr shared a list of 10 players he believes could end up being first-time Pro Bowlers. Williams made the list with the new head coach Ben Johnson running the show.
"He (Williams) went from a situation with multiple offensive coordinators during his rookie season to landing the best play-caller in the NFL as a head coach, an all-new offensive line and a weapon at tight end (Colston Loveland) in the first round of the draft. Chicago will be able to run a wide open and versatile 12-personnel, which will give Williams more time and freedom at the line and the Bears more options to puncture defenses. When Williams got the ball out on time, he was spectacular last season, even with a system that was dreadfully conceived. His stat line, which included 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, is the basis of an elite quarterback statistical ceiling. As we mentioned before, the back end of the NFC Pro Bowl QB lineup is 100% up for grabs, and there’s no reason to believe a player—who will also benefit from the now-constant threat of high-EPA trick plays thanks to Johnson’s arrival—isn’t going to pick apart defenses that are more on guard."
Williams is poised for a bounce back sophomore season in Chicago
The stars are aligned for Williams in 2025, which makes last season a forgettable mess. Chicago reconstructed the offensive line with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson entering their first seasons with the Bears. Rookies Loveland and Luther Burden III give Williams new weapons to throw the ball to.
Johnson is the key element that makes all of this work. His creative play calling helped the Bears' rival, Detroit Lions, have one of the most explosive offenses over the last couple of seasons. It's the core reason Bears general manager Ryan Poles and company brought him to the Windy City.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff developed from a serviceable starter to one of the top half signal-callers in the league. Johnson will have to have the same kind of impact on Williams and get him to commit to making better, more decisive decisions in the pocket to avoid taking the sacks.
Read more: ESPN writer's brutal takedown sets Bears' offense in their place for 2025 season
With guys like D'Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet back in 2025, Williams is ready to become the elite quarterback he is supposed to be.