Caleb Williams’ rookie season in Chicago was anything but easy. The young Bears quarterback had some growing pains and had to acclimate himself to NFL speed during his rookie season in a new offense. However, he and the Bears took a huge step forward by the end of the 2025 season. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Chicago won the NFC North, secured a playoff win, and reached the NFC Championship game, giving the fans more than enough reasons to be confident they finally had their quarterback.
As he enters his second season full season in Johnson’s offense, Williams feels like the game is actually slowing down for him. After stating that he felt like he was drowning while he was still learning the offense a year ago at this time, the Bears quarterback said it has been a complete change of pace for next season.
Bears Quarterback Admits He Was Drowning
As reported by NBC Sports, Williams stated that he felt like he was drowning in Chicago.
“It’s a hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year,” Williams said. “I was saying it to Coach, ‘Dude, I feel like I was drowning, trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around last year.’
The Bears quarterback candidly admitted that he was struggling and it is not surprising at all. Any NFL offense at the beginning of year one can be very demanding on a young QB especially on a player at such a premium position as a number one overall draft selection. This is term after term learning and adjusting to the NFL defense, not to mention gelling with his teammates all in one single unit. As long as Williams feels at home under Johnson’s offense, that is a good sign for Chicago as most jumps in a young QBs development happens when the mental game stops overwhelming him.
Williams Discusses How Year 2 Under Johnson’s Offense Feels Different
The Bears quarterback then went onto discuss after being under Johnson’s offense for a full year has made things easier going into the next season.
Now this year, it’s being able to start what we finished last year, play calls and words and verbiage and speak the same language, and now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season, speaking on things that really helps throughout the year, and later in the year. That’s the advantage.”
Williams’ explanation highlights one of the biggest advantages a quarterback can have in today’s NFL: continuity. Instead of spending valuable practice time learning terminology and figuring out what coaches are asking him to do, the Bears quarterback can now focus on mastering the finer details of Johnson’s offense. That comfort level often leads to faster decisions, better execution, and more confidence on the field. For a Bears team coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance, that is an encouraging development heading into 2026.
Expectations Have Raised Significantly
Success brings high expectations, and now the Bears can no longer be considered under construction. Last season, the Bears advanced all the way to the NFC Championship. This year it seems a Super Bowl is within the realm of possibility, and with that will come great pressure on the shoulders of Williams. The good news for the Chicago faithful is that their franchise quarterback feels a lot more comfortable than he did last season, and if the young Bears quarterback continues to develop in Johnson’s offense, expectations may not feel like a burden so much as the next step in the team’s evolution.
Main Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
