ESPN NFL insider predicts if Caleb Williams will slump or jump in Year 2

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams entered his rookie season with high expectations as the 2024 No. 1 overall pick. It was a mixed bag for the former Heisman Trophy winner, as the Bears went 5-12.

Chicago’s struggles cost head coach Matt Eberflus his job and there’s a new regime in place as the 2025 season approaches. The Bears landed the top head coaching candidate in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who helped resurrect Jared Goff’s career. The presence of Johnson, along with further additions to the offensive side of the ball, has ESPN‘s Dan Graziano optimistic about Williams taking a jump this season.

“I think Caleb Williams, with adding the coach in Ben Johnson, he’s there to make him better. They added more pieces around him,” Graziano said on Friday’s Get Up. “This time last year, we talked about how many great pieces there were around him in the passing game. They beefed up the offensive line. Caleb Williams is in a great position to make a jump in year two.”

Last year, general manager Ryan Poles signed running back D’Andre Swift, acquired receiver Keenan Allen and selected wideout Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick. The trio joined receiver DJ Moore as the top skill position players in Chicago’s offense. Despite the moves, Chicago owned the league’s bottom-ranked offense in 2024.

Bears add more to offense; Caleb Williams breakout coming in 2025?

Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions on 62.5% passing. He was sacked a league-high 68 times. As a result, Poles put resources into the offensive line this offseason. The Bears acquired All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney and right guard Jonah Jackson and signed center Drew Dalman in free agency. Poles then added a pair of weapons in the NFL Draft. Tight end Colston Loveland came off the board with pick No. 10, and receiver Luther Burden was selected in the second round.

On paper, there aren’t too many offenses as talented as Chicago’s. But football isn’t played on a piece of paper. It’s all about what happens on the field. The Bears are hopeful this group is the one to lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The Williams-Johnson relationship will be key. So far, so good.

“He’s always laser-focused,” Williams said earlier this week of Johnson, via Gabby Hajduk of ChicagoBears.com. “He encourages and he pushes you and challenges you to be at your best, as a team, offense, defense, special teams. Doesn’t matter position. And he’s a guy that wants to win. So being here, being the head guy, and to be honest, he’s consistent with it every day … So far it’s been awesome, and I think everybody’s been enjoying it.”