All eyes have been on Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams during training camp. That's because they have to answer one question everyone has.
Bleacher Report writer Gary Davenport's recent article asks one question that must be answered during preseason for all 32 NFL teams. Davenport is wondering whether Williams can take a massive leap in Year 2 as the Bears' starting quarterback.
"Yes, another quarterback. When you draft a guy first overall and his first season is uneven, he becomes a team’s biggest question—especially if that player is a quarterback.
You can’t say that the Bears haven’t taken steps to put Caleb Williams in position to succeed in his second season. Chicago hired offensive guru Ben Johnson as head coach. Bolstered the offensive line. Added more passing-game weapons in wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland.
Now, that growth needs to translate into long drives. Touchdowns. Wins.
Because if it doesn’t, it won’t take long for the grumbles to start."
Only preseason and regular season will answer the important Williams question
While the media tries not to judge players based on training camp, it's hard not to when there is nothing else to go by. Williams has struggled at camp, and it's all anyone has been talking about.
To be fair to Williams, the offense in general has not been good through a week-plus of training camp. They have struggled with pre-snap issues, and Williams has not been able to consistently hit his receivers, thanks to the Bears' stifling coverage.
Williams is under pressure to perform better after the Bears were 5-12 last year. It wasn't all doom and gloom for Williams with his 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, but it's hard to ignore the 10 fumbles and NFL-high 68 sacks. Those aren't significant numbers.
Johnson has already given Williams his goal for the season which is to complete over 70% of his passes. The Bears fan base would add him throwing for over 4,000 yards, which would be a franchise first.,
Williams doesn't have the excuses anymore to fall back on. He's weapons all around him with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland to throw to. He's got an improved offensive line and a defense that is having a stellar training camp.
Read more: Luther Burden III takes proper step in right direction at Bears training camp
It's time to put up or shut up for Williams and only he himself can shut the critics up with a solid preseason performance.