The Chicago Bears had the week off, and they are returning with a monumental opportunity ahead of them against the Washington Commanders. Before that though, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ushered in the week of preparation with a check-in from the team’s facilities.
He was not alone, either.
It was an encouraging way to begin a potentially pivotal week for the franchise, which saw its season spiral out of control at a similar point last season.
Caleb Williams Returns From Bears Bye Week With Team Video
Bears QB Caleb Williams Links Up With ‘The Mob’ For Photo Op
Williams’ message came as the Bears gathered for their 2025 team photo at Halas Hall. The Bears’ second-year QB panned the camera over to his teammates and then his head coach, Ben Johnson, after delivering his opening line.
“What’s up, ya’ll. It’s your boy,” Williams said into the camera in the video posted on X via the Bears’ handle on October 6. “With the mob.”
DJ Moore and D’Andre Swift both reacted to the camera before Williams found Johnson.
It was a brief moment of levity before they set out to complete their remaining 13-game slate. Up next is a tilt against the Washington Commanders. Washington’s win over the Bears, who were coming off a bye, in Week 8 of the 2024 season spiraled the latter’s campaign.
That matchup was in a late-game slot. This time, the two teams will meet in primetime on “Monday Night Football.”
Caleb Williams Showing Year-to-Year Improvement
Williams had an uneven start to the campaign under a first-year head coach in Johnson, but picked it up heading into the break. More importantly, Williams has shown marked improvement over his own performance through as many games last season.
Then, Williams had thrown for 787 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 61.7% completion.
This season, Williams has a 927-8-2 line on 62.3% completion.
It is hardly the end of Williams’ progress, but the proof is undeniably in the pudding. The former No. 1 overall pick is taking steps forward in meaningful, tangible ways while working opposite a defense whose production (27th overall, 28th in scoring) belies its cost.
Per Spotrac, the Bears are spending $80.7 million on their defense this season, which ranks 16th in the league.
However, that does not count cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s $12.9 million cap hit for 2025.
With that, the Bears would jump to the eighth-most-expensive defense in the NFL this season, giving them a top-10 bill without any of the benefits. The Bears rank 17th against the pass, but they are 31st against the run, pending “Monday Night Football” in Week 5.
Williams’ progress has not been linear, as his head coach forecasted early on. But he has had to overcome plenty of hurdles, even after all of the work the Bears did this offseason.
Next, finding consistency should be the goal of every Bears player, including Williams.