After a 2024 season that fell short of even the most reasonable expectations, stabilizing things around quarterback Caleb Williams was the Chicago Bears' top priority this offseason. To the credit of everyone involved, they left no stone unturned in the effort to get that done. Turning Williams into a franchise quarterback is all that matters until further notice.
Now, of course, it's up to Williams to get it done with a stabilized structure and an upgrade in the talent around him. The raw ability that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft is clearly there, it's a matter of honing the finer aspects of being an NFL quarterback so that talent can shine through.
As proof of his commitment, and it did not go unnoticed, Williams is in attendance for the Bears' final set of voluntary OTAs this week despite rookies being the only ones who had to be present. More practice reps in a new offense can only be beneficial.
Caleb Williams gets place on obvious list for 2025
Zoltan Buday of Pro Football Focus has outlined 10 NFL players with the most to prove this season. While the list is organized by position, and not a strict ranked order, Williams is the first player mentioned and he'd have a strong case to be No. 1 if it was a 1-10 ranking.
"After the Bears selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, Williams had a somewhat disappointing rookie season compared to expectations. His 67.6 PFF overall grade ranked only 31st among quarterbacks, his 87.8 passer rating placed 24th and his 49.0 PFF passing grade under pressure ranked 27th."
"Admittedly, Chicago's offensive line seemed to be an issue, especially after some injuries. The unit allowed a league-high 37 sacks during last year’s regular season. The USC product was also partially to blame, as 27.8% of his pressured dropbacks turned into sacks, which was the third-worst rate among 43 signal-callers last season."
"Everything suggests that the circumstances will be better in Williams’ sophomore season. He will operate under one of the highest-regarded play callers in new head coach Ben Johnson, and the Bears' offensive line has been strengthened with the arrivals of guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and center Drew Dalman. The team also selected tight end Colston Loveland in the first round."
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Buday finished his analysis of Williams with the clear-cut bottom line.
"Seemingly, everything is in place for Williams to show in 2025 why he was the first-overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft."
Expectations are naturally very high for Williams this year. If he fails to take as big a step as expected, it won't mean he's an irretrievable failure two seasons into his career. But there will be bigger questions than there are right now, with any benefit of the doubt after a turbulent rookie season all but gone.