Chicago Bears send Caleb Williams warning before potential contract season

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears send Caleb Williams warning before potential contract season

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 28, 2026 4:54 PM ET

Caleb Williams has one more season to prove himself before the Chicago Bears decide on what to do with his fifth-year option during the 2027 offseason.

The Bears have planned their roster decisions around the idea that Williams will be on the team long-term, and it would be ideal to negotiate during the 2027 offseason.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft needed a few games to get comfortable in head coach Ben Johnson’s system last year. Williams finished the season with 3,942 yards passing, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He became the star of the offense in the latter half of the season, earning the “Iceman” nickname for incredible throws in comeback wins over the Green Bay Packers.

Williams did fail one expectation Johnson had for him last season. Johnson wanted Williams to complete 70 percent of his passes in 2025. The Heisman Trophy-winner only completed 58.1 percent of his passes last season, down from the 62.5 percent he completed as a rookie.

Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Johnson told reporters that he wanted to see Williams complete more passes during the upcoming season.

“Completion percentage is something that we’re going to emphasize, and so what did they get when they came into the offensive meeting today? They got the chart of what was our completion percentage yesterday, who had drops, what did our scramble drill look like, when those naturally occurred,” Johnson said, via Adam Jahns of CHGO Bears.

“And so that’s really our first objective is just drawing more attention to it. Those guys are really critical of themselves in drill settings, routes on air, where the ball placement is. We want to give these pass catchers – we have so many talented ones – opportunities to run after the catch, and so we’re being very critical on where we’re putting that football with them, and that’s something that we grade every day.”

Johnson’s message is a clear warning to Williams about what he needs to do to better negotiate his contract during the 2027 offseason. If he hits the 70 percent completion percentage, he’ll be able to argue for better terms and more guaranteed money.

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

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