Everything is right there for the taking for Caleb Williams, but the Chicago Bears’ fourth-year quarterback must seize the moment.
Williams’ 2025 season was a breakout by many standards, but he can reach another level entirely if he can become more consistent. A home-run hitter as a passer, Williams struggled with passes he can and should make routinely last season.
The good news is that Williams and Bears head coach Ben Johnson have attacked the issue.
Ex-GM Delivers Strong Message About Bears’ Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams Can Take Significant Leap for Bears
For all of his star power, Williams’ 58.1% completion percentage was among the worst in the NFL among qualifiers last season.
And while that figure does not tell the whole story, it could dictate Williams’ next chapter.
Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was asked what would happen if Williams cleaned up what may be the only weakness in his game as of the end of 2025. The ex-executive did not mince words about what the QB can be and what he must do to get there.
“Caleb Williams is a MVP candidate, without question. We saw the explosive plays,” Tannenbaum said on “Get Up” on August 21.
“It’s more the down-to-down aspect of the game that has to be cleaned up. 58% is way too low. He’s way too talented. If those receivers can be healthy, and that’s a big if right now. Luther Burden; Rome Odunze with the foot. If those guys can stay healthy–with Colston Loveland and this offense–he’ll be an MVP candidate, because he’ll hit the singles and doubles that go with the home-run ability.”
Williams is tied with Dallas Cowboys counterpart Dak Prescott for the fifth-best MVP odds as of August 21, per FanDuel.
There are also seven players ahead of him.
Caleb Williams vs Reigning MVP: Tale of the Tape
Last season’s MVP, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams–whom Johnson has had Williams study in the past–led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 47 touchdowns and threw just 8 interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
Williams (3,942-27-7 as a passer, 77-388-3 as a runner) is not far off in raw metrics, but his TDs and completion percentage stand out as the biggest hindrance to his potential MVP candidacy.
Addressing one could lead to inflating the other, though.
More completions means Williams and the Bears’ offense remain on the field more, which should lead to more scoring opportunities. That could lead to easier victories and fewer late-game heroics needed from Williams.
It could also help the Bears avoid the second-quarter (and fourth-quarter outside of crunch time) lulls that they experienced last season.
It is all in Williams’ control, and the Bears QB has made no secret of his work to fix it.
Leave a Reply