The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises this season, sitting at 8-3 and atop the NFC North in Year 1 under head coach Ben Johnson. While their success has come in the form of gritty, narrow victories, there’s no denying the progress made across the roster…especially at the quarterback position.
Tight end Cole Kmet, one of the Bears’ key offensive leaders, offered a detailed look at the development of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, and his comments highlight just how transformative the 2025 season has been for the Bears’ offense and its franchise QB.
Cole Kmet Praises Caleb Williams’ Growth as Bears Push Toward NFC North Title
When asked by ESPN’s Dan Graziano about Williams, Kmet didn’t hesitate about the most noticeable difference in Williams from Year 1 to Year 2.
“His command of the huddle, just the way he’s commanding it and getting the playcall out, has been night and day from last year,” Kmet said. “That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but when you think about what these guys are asked to do in college, where they’re looking over at the sideline and SpongeBob or whoever is on the posterboard, versus now when Ben Johnson is giving you two, three complicated playcalls at a time and you’ve got to spit all of that out to us with confidence in the huddle, it’s just a lot smoother and more confident from him this year.”
Kmet praised Williams for delivering those calls with confidence and clarity, noting that the huddle simply feels smoother this season. For a team built on structure and timing, that improvement has been crucial.
Thanks to a rebuilt offensive line, which has opened up the run game, Williams has been able to showcase the command and confidence he’s developed in Year 2, especially in the game’s biggest moments.
Chicago has lived on the edge all season, posting wins by one, two, three, four, and five points – yet Williams’ late-game poise has repeatedly pushed them over the top. Kmet believes that Williams’ calm leadership is directly linked to the offense’s physical foundation, which has allowed the team to thrive in crunch time.
"Ben Johnson is extremely impressive and he knows how to motivate his team..
Caleb Williams is making some great throws"@JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1qql6psGTw
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 26, 2025
Playoff Expectations and a Foundation Built to Last
The Bears, despite being 8-3 and leading the NFC North, are not even the favorites to win the division.
ESPN has the Bears with the third-highest odds of winning the division (+300), behind the Green Bay Packers (+130) and Detroit Lions (+150).
The main reason is the daunting schedule that awaits Chicago. The last six games include this Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles, two games against the Packers, and matchups against the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Lions.
But that’s not scaring the Bears. Graziano noted that “no one in Chicago is counting this as a rebuild year, and they fully believe they can win the division or at least make the playoffs.”
“When you have a certain amount of belief between all three phases … that belief becomes contagious. That’s something Ben has provided in us.”
Caleb Williams on what the biggest difference has been between 2024 and 2025. pic.twitter.com/VF9Dbapc9H
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) November 25, 2025
Even if the final record doesn’t match their season ambitions, this season has already delivered something the franchise has long been searching for: a sustainable foundation. The offensive identity is clear. The roster construction is paying dividends despite all the injuries. And Williams, with the maturity and growth highlighted by Kmet, is growing into the franchise quarterback Chicago hoped he would be.
Progress isn’t measured only by standings; sometimes it’s seen in how a team carries itself. And for the first time in years, the Bears look like a team with an identity, a direction, and most importantly, a future worth believing in.
Main Image: David Banks – Imagn Images
