Chicago Bears believed to be testing Caleb Williams

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears believed to be testing Caleb Williams

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 5:59 PM ET

The Chicago Bears went defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, taking safety Dillon Thieneman.

That was the first time the Bears took a defensive player in the first round of the draft since 2018.

The Bears’ decision to take a safety in the first round is part of the reason Jason Lieser of the Chicago-Sun Times suggested the team didn’t “coddle” quarterback Caleb Williams this offseason.

After trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, the Bears chose not to address the left tackle situation amid uncertainty with Ozzy Trapilo. Lieser argued Williams received “no extra help” from Chicago this season.

That’s a bold take from Lieser, seeing the Bears traded for center Garrett Bradbury after Drew Dalman announced his retirement.

In addition to Bradbury, general manager Ryan Poles added center Logan Jones in the second round of the draft before taking tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round.

If anything, Williams received much more help on offense than the Bears gave defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who is still lacking on the defensive end after losing several key playmakers in the secondary from last season. The Bears’ brass suggested Allen and his staff needed to coach better this season.

Chicago Bears testing Caleb Williams in Year 3

Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on during warmups before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

In a question to Bears head coach Ben Johnson from the Sun-Times about how much belief the team had that Williams could succeed “even as the team hadn’t done much for him,” Johnson suggested he believes Williams is ready to be tested in the upcoming season because of his development in the league.

“The reason I feel that way is because of how [last season] went from where we were early in camp to Week 1 to where we finished,” Johnson told the Sun-Times.

“I saw significant changes in his approach, his development. I’ve got a lot of confidence that this guy is going to figure this out to where he gets better year after year.”

Williams is entering his third season under a rookie contract. At some point in the near future, the Bears will have to offer the quarterback an extension. With the way quarterback salaries have ballooned in recent seasons, that new contract will mean Poles will have to cut back on salary at other key positions.

Some teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens have been better able to adapt to those challenges than, say, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Williams will need to develop into an elite quarterback to keep Chicago in the running for a Super Bowl when he signs his next deal. For the time being, the Bears have been savvy at putting talent around him to succeed.

And yes, that meant giving him the bulk of the help in Day 2 of the draft.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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