When the Chicago Bears turn their fortunes around as quickly as they have in 2025, most credit goes to the quarterback and head coach. That has certainly been the easy take with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson leading the way. However, looking deeper at the Bears’ improvement, it’s evident that Caleb Williams’ rise involves more than just a new head coach and his connection with the quarterback.
This season, over 10 games, Williams has completed 59.7% of his passes for 2,329 yards and 13 touchdowns, with only 4 interceptions. Williams has also run the ball for 272 yards and has scored 3 rushing touchdowns with one touchdown reception as well. The most important stat for Williams this season is that opposing defenders have only sacked Williams 16 times this season.
To further understand this improvement, compare Williams’s current performance to his rookie season in 2024. Over 17 games last season, Williams completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. While these statistics are similar to this year’s, the most striking contrast is the 68 sacks allowed by the Bears in 2024.
Given this context, while many debate whether Caleb Williams deserves MVP consideration or Ben Johnson should be Coach of the Year, the most significant improvement lies with Chicago’s offensive line. During the off-season, the Bears invested heavily in this unit, and that investment is paying off. Williams and Johnson still deserve credit for the team’s progress, but the Bears’ success this season extends beyond both of them.
