When Caleb Williams entered the NFL, many Chicago Bears fans had high expectations. While he has yet to fully prove his value, new head coach Ben Johnson is confident that the quarterback’s true breakout is just around the corner.
The Bears have never had a quarterback throw for over 4,000 yards in a single season—a glaring issue for a franchise still chasing consistency at the position. Now, with Caleb Williams under center, they believe that record could finally be broken.
Many scouts view Williams as a generational talent capable of leading the Bears to long-awaited success. And now, new head coach Ben Johnson has delivered a bold statement about the former USC standout.
Ben Johnson makes bold prediction for Caleb Williams’ future
Caleb Williams entered the NFL in 2024 as the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears made aggressive moves to land him, seeing him as the kind of quarterback who could transform a franchise.
His rookie season showed flashes of promise, but ultimately fell short of fans’ lofty expectations. However, there’s growing belief that a major step forward is coming—and it starts with new leadership.
Ben Johnson, the Bears’ new head coach, arrived this offseason after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, where he helped Jared Goff thrive. Now, he’s bringing that same offensive vision to Chicago.
Johnson is well aware of his own track record—and of Williams’ immense potential. That’s why he’s confident that the young quarterback will soon show the world what he’s truly capable of.
“I probably just see growth,” HC Ben Johnson said, via Adam Hoge of allchgo.com. “He is so much more comfortable right now. Even yesterday — the walk-through — in terms of moving around. We go from gun, to under [center], to the tight ends are moving, the receivers are moving. We’re adding more every day.
“I told him this on the player day off: his process is really clean right now. I’m talking about how he’s preparing. I’m really pleased with it. He’s doing the work behind the scenes that no one else is seeing, and we’re starting to see the dividends being paid from it.”
Tough start to the 2025 NFL season for Chicago
The Bears are set to begin the 2025 NFL season with a challenging schedule. Their first two matchups will be against division rivals: the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions—early tests that will quickly reveal whether Caleb Williams is ready to take the next step and lead the Bears toward a new era of success.
- Week 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Week 2 @ Detroit Lions
- Week 3 vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Week 4 @ Las Vegas Raiders