We’re in the dead part of the NFL offseason. The Bears won’t return until next month for the start of training camp, so now’s the perfect time to assess where each player stands. Let’s begin with the most important position: quarterback.
Recap of Caleb Williams 2024 Rookie Season
In his rookie year with the Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams started all 17 games. He threw for:
3,541 yards
20 touchdowns
6 interceptions
62.5% completion rate
87.8 passer rating
On the ground, he added:
489 rushing yards on 81 attempts (6.0 yards per carry)
0 rushing touchdowns
How He Stacks Up: No. 1 Overall QB Comparisons
Passing Efficiency:
Williams 6 interceptions were among the lowest for a No. 1 overall rookie QB—only Joe Burrow had fewer (5 in 10 games). His completion rate and passer rating were better than Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, and Bryce Young. However, he trailed Baker Mayfield (93.7) and Burrow (89.8). His 3,541 passing yards and 20 touchdowns were solid, though they fell short of the 4,000+ yard rookie seasons posted by Newton, Luck, and Winston.
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Rushing Impact:
Williams 489 rushing yards rank him among the more mobile rookie QBs, behind Newton (706), Kyler Murray (544), and Jayden Daniels (891). His 6.0 yards per carry was excellent, but he failed to score a rushing touchdown—something other dual-threat QBs like Newton (14), Winston (6), Luck (5), and Murray (4) managed to do.
Team Success:
The Bears finished 4-13, putting them near the bottom among No. 1 pick rookie seasons. That record mirrors Trevor Lawrence’s 3-14 and Bryce Young’s 2-15 debuts. Other top picks—like Luck (11-5), Mayfield (7-8-1), and Murray (5-10-1)—had more success, though most benefited from better rosters and coaching support.
Overall Impact:
Williams’ rookie season showed a strong balance of efficiency and athleticism. His low turnover rate and solid passer rating were major positives, as were his rushing yards. However, the lack of rushing touchdowns and deep-ball consistency stood out. His year compares favorably to Kyler Murray’s, though Murray’s scoring edge on the ground gives him the slight nod. Considering the chaos surrounding the Bears coaching staff and overall roster, Williams had an impressive rookie campaign.
Offseason Progress
So far, Williams has been active and engaged throughout OTAs and minicamps. Coaches, including new head coach Ben Johnson, have praised his development publicly. He’s made mechanical improvements—especially with his footwork—but still holds onto the ball too long at times.
The deep ball remains a concern. In 2024, he had one of the worst completion percentages in the NFL on throws of 20+ air yards from a clean pocket. That will need to improve.
Still, there are plenty of encouraging signs. Williams is building trust and chemistry with the new coaching staff and his teammates. Though Johnson and his staff are coaching him hard, they’ve also been seen laughing with him on the sidelines—an indication of mutual respect and trust that didn’t seem to exist under the previous regime. Williams responds well to being pushed, and he’s clearly getting that now.
Confidence Meter Heading into Training Camp: 9.5/10
Ben Johnson appears to be pressing all the right buttons. With a better system, more support, and continued development, I believe we’ll see the best version of Caleb Williams in 2025.