QB Caleb Williams sets massive goal for 2026 Bears

Not long after the Chicago Bears endured a brutal 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs, Bears head coach Ben Johnson challenged second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and other members of the Chicago offense to improve. 

During a recent appearance on "The Rush With Maxx Crosby" podcast, Williams touched upon how much of a leap he wants to make in his second season under Johnson.

Caleb Williams wants Bears to become "the greatest" at this

"I really want to become the greatest offense this year," Williams admitted, per Madison Williams of Sports Illustrated. "That’s really on my mind. Being able to find ways to put up points every single time we’re out there." 

ESPN stats show that the Johnson-led Bears ended the 2025 regular season ranked sixth in the NFL with an average of 369.2 total yards per game and ninth with an average of 25.9 points scored per contest. Meanwhile, Williams was responsible for seven comeback wins after trailing in the fourth quarter of games from Week 1 of this past campaign through Chicago's wild-card playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers. 

Caleb Williams learned this lesson about Chicago amid Bears' playoff run

The NBA's Chicago Bulls were responsible for a dynastic run during the 1990s, while MLB's Chicago Cubs ending what had been a historic World Series drought is one of the more memorable sports-related stories of the 2010s. 

That said, Williams was blown away by the atmosphere he experienced at Soldier Field during the Bears' two playoff games. 

"It’s a Bears city," Williams added during the podcast, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I didn’t realize it until probably this year, to be honest with you. ...I’m excited to get back, especially after the work, seeing the work, feeling the work, going through the tough [parts] of last year but also going through the tough [parts] of this year, with a new coach, tough coach, having to learn so much. And the benefits of it. … Winning, it’s one of the best feelings in the world." 

Interestingly, the Bears are among the teams that have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Crosby if he requests to be traded by the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. One can't help but wonder what Williams and Crosby talked about when the microphones and cameras were turned off.