Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ first season playing in head coach Ben Johnson’s system was a rousing success.
Williams powered the Bears to a franchise record seven comeback victories, nearly became the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for 4,000 yards in a season, and was a catalyst to a postseason run that ended in overtime of the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, just two victories shy of a Super Bowl appearance.
Johnson has big plans for Williams and the Bears in 2026.
How Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears aim to maximize Caleb Williams
Johnson seemed to open up the playbook as last season went along, and there’s no telling what kind of new concepts the second-year head coach will install for Williams and the offense when the Bears get back on the practice field later this spring.
Last season, Williams completed just 58.1 percent of his passes while setting a new career high with 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
As rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden become more familiar with the offense, and life as NFL players, Williams’ heroics, escapability and clutch performances might once again be critical for the Bears in 2026.
“We as a coaching staff take a lot of pride in trying to get the primary guy open,” Johnson told reporters during the NFL Combine, of Williams. “If we are able to do that, he’s going to come through and he’s going to make that throw.
“And then if we can’t do that for him from a coaching perspective or a play-calling perspective, then he has the ability to make us right. That’s his magical talent — he can be the ultimate eraser for us. So really it’s the balance between the two.”
Williams’ raw athleticism and arm talent give the Bears’ passing game a chance for success even when the play falls apart.
If Johnson and Williams, along with the Bears’ receiving corps, get themselves even more on the same page in 2026, the ceiling for this offense may rise significantly pretty quickly in their second season together.
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