'You saw signs and ability that scare you' — Caleb Williams' rookie season put the league on notice but the potential flaws in his game still raise red flags

Processing speed was a legitimate concern for the young quarterback, and one that is still lingering in his game this offseason. Williams took a league-high 68 sacks in 2024 and nearly broke David Carr's record, which isn't a good one to have.

"He's got the talent to go up, but in terms of processing ability and getting the ball out of his hands, it was the worst we played against," a defensive coordinator said. "He just holds the ball forever. I'm thinking, 'The ball should go right there! Throw it! Throw it!' And he did not throw it."

Going into his second season, the Bears made sure to fully invest in Williams' potential by first hiring the top head coach candidate in Ben Johnson to lead the offense and then by overhauling the offensive line with three veteran protectors, including future Hall of Fame guard Joe Thuney. In the meantime, Williams self-scouted his own mistakes to identify how he can personally improve.

Under Johnson's offense, the Bears hope to make Williams' game faster and more efficient by moving him under center and implementing more play action passes built off the run game. It's the same style Johnson used in Detroit to turn Lions quarterback Jared Goff into a potential MVP candidate.

What's yet to be seen is whether or not these changes will actually pay off and allow Williams to overcome some of the deficiencies he showed as a rookie.

"You saw signs and ability, and I also think you saw signs and ability that scare you," another coach said. "Nervousness in the pocket, inability to see and play on time. But I do not know yet if that was him or coaching. Parts of me wondered if you could get it done with this guy, but it's good enough to make you think you have a chance."

One NFL general manager compared the good and bad of Williams' game in Year 1 to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Allen had a forgettable, at best, rookie campaign and quickly overcame his struggles to become of the top quarterbacks in the league, who's fresh of an MVP-worthy season.

The Bears, and many supporters around the league, are hoping for a similar outcome for Williams in his future.