Caleb Williams’ Rocky Rookie Year in Chicago Exposes Bears’ QB Crisis
Caleb Williams arrived in Chicago with sky-high expectations and a Heisman pedigree, but his rookie season quickly unraveled into a cautionary tale of organizational failure. Instead of stepping into a well-oiled offensive machine, the Bears’ top draft pick found himself isolated, underprepared, and unprotected—both literally and figuratively.
The Bears’ troubled quarterback history—spanning decades from Sid Luckman to Justin Fields—is infamous, and fans had hoped Williams would break that cycle. But according to upcoming insights from Seth Wickersham’s American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, Chicago nearly became the place Williams never wanted to go. His father, Carl Williams, warned early on, calling the Bears “the place quarterbacks go to die.” That warning turned out to be eerily accurate.
Williams’ debut was marred by poor coaching and a lack of structural support. Head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron were both dismissed midseason after leaving their rookie quarterback with little to no guidance. Williams reportedly had no help breaking down film and had to create his own study routine. “No one tells me what to watch,” he told his father.
The consequences were brutal. Williams was sacked 68 times—second only to David Carr’s 76 in 2002—and endured a 10-game losing streak while leading an offense that ranked 28th in scoring. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel was baffled: “How in the world did no one else tell him?” Even seasoned NFL analysts were shocked by the level of neglect.
Comparisons with other rookie QBs further expose the Bears’ failings. Jayden Daniels, for instance, benefited from virtual simulations and a well-structured training environment in Washington. Meanwhile, Williams was left to fend for himself.
Wickersham compared Williams’ situation to Alex Smith’s early struggles in San Francisco, where he too had no instruction on how to watch film. For Williams, the problem wasn’t just growing pains—it was systemic abandonment. “It shows a level of total neglect no one could have suspected,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Gene Chamberlain.
Despite all this, Williams still managed to throw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns—impressive numbers under the circumstances. With better support, his ceiling could be even higher.
Now, the future may look a bit brighter. Chicago hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach in January 2025. Known for leading top-five offenses in both yardage and scoring, Johnson brings a proven track record. The Bears also bolstered their offensive line and drafted standout receiver Luther Burden III.
Williams has expressed optimism about the new setup, stating, “I really can’t wait to get to work with these guys.” But optimism alone won’t fix the franchise’s deep-rooted issues.
The Bears finally seem to have the pieces in place: a talented quarterback, a respected coach, and a retooled roster. Whether they can finally break their quarterback curse—or add another name to the long list of mismanaged talents—depends on what they do next.