Caleb Williams showed something that got the attention of one former Chicago Bears quarterback, and it bodes well for head coach Ben Johnson’s group in 2026.
Williams made a tremendous leap in 2025, his second season in the NFL and first under Johnson. He recently spoke about the additional time they spend together and how it pays off, further underscoring the encouraging take on the Bears’ outlook for this season.
Health permitting, Williams could indeed challenge for hardware as well as postseason success.
Caleb Williams Receives Strong Words From Ex-Bears QB
Former Bears QB Shares Telling Highlight From Caleb Williams
Williams fell just shy of becoming the first Bears QB in franchise history to throw for 4,000 yards in 2025, and that was with a slow start to the season for the offense as a whole. This offseason, Johnson, Williams, and the rest of the Bears believe they are further along.
That could lead to a faster start, especially if Williams can truly pick up where he left off last season as former Bears QB Chase Daniel suggested.
Daniel highlighted a throw from Williams to DJ Moore against the Green Bay Packers.
“This throw from Caleb Williams last season still stands out,” Daniel posted on X on June 27. “If this is the version of Caleb we’re getting heading into this season, Bears fans should be over the moon.”
The play is from the Bears’ overtime win over the Packers in Week 16, avenging their loss from two weeks earlier. Williams and the Bears would eliminate the Packers from the postseason three weeks later.
Moore is no longer on the team, traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Still, there is a lot to be encouraged about regarding Williams heading into what could ultimately prove to be a contract season for the former No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Caleb Williams Had MVP in Awe
Williams has already shown that he can hang with the elite QBs in the NFL, including reigning Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford, who admitted being a bit awe-struck seeing the Bears passer’s jumping throw in the NFC Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams.
Speaking on playing in the elements, Stafford noted that all those games are “all different.”
“They’re a lot of fun,” he said. “Except when you’re playing Caleb Williams, and he sprints back to the 50[-yard line], and launches the freaking “NFL Blitz” jump throw for a touchdown.”
“I was like, ‘What the hell is this?’” Stafford told Chris Long on the “Green Light” podcast on June 23. “I think he’s just, with the ball in the hand, it’s as scary as anybody, for sure, right? You don’t know what’s going to happen. He was running back to the 50, and I’m like, in my head going, ‘Oh, sweet. All right. Here we go. What are we doing here?’ And then, … he launches. I’m like, ‘That looks kind of good, actually.’ And then I’m like, ‘Oh my god, they caught it.’ I’m like, ‘What the hell?!’”
Stafford noted he had to shake it off and lead the Rams to a victory, which he did. Still, Williams made a strong impression on the three-time Pro Bowler and 2025 First Team All-Pro.
“He’s dangerous, man. He can move around, makes great, I mean unbelievable throws outside the pocket,” Stafford said.
“I think Ben Johnson does a heck of a job of putting him in position to go be successful, and plays into getting him out of the pocket some and let him do some of the stuff he’s really really good at.”
Johnson spent two years on the Detroit Lions coaching staff when Stafford was there.
The second-year head coach had Williams study Stafford, among others, as part of their offseason work in 2025, and the Bears’ QB ultimately got his subject’s approval.
