Caleb Williams Chicago Bears
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Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears find themselves in an interesting situation during the 2025 NFL season, as they attempt to develop promising young quarterback Caleb Williams while implementing the unique play-calling and offense of new head coach Ben Johnson.
Although things have been rocky during the first four weeks of the 2025 campaign, with the Bears losing their first two games, the team is riding a two-game win streak heading into their bye week before taking on Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders on the road in Week 6.
In the meantime, Williams and Johnson continue to be at the core of storylines coming out of Chicago.
Bears Legend Chimes in on Caleb Williams
Bears legend Matt Forte recently joined Ryan Heckman of FanSided and was asked about what he’s seen from Williams and Chicago’s new leader on the sideline.
“I’ve noticed a mix of things,” Forte said of Williams. “I think there’s some good things and obviously a lot of things to work on. I like that his feet have been a little more sure when the pocket is sure, and we’ve seen the difference, like when he’s under pressure and he’s having to run and escape and things like that.
“Yeah, any quarterback gets antsy feet, but what I’m looking forward to is seeing him when the blitz comes, and maybe there’s a guy penetrating through the line, to stay in there and make those throws in the face of getting hit. And not looking to escape all the time, and then the reading of defenses, where I’m not throwing to a guy that’s already open, I’m throwing to him to be open. It just takes the anticipation part.”
Forte clearly thinks there’s a lot of potential with Williams, but acknowledges the former USC star is a work in progress, with a long way to go moving forward in his second season with the Bears.
However, he does seem to think Williams is a special quarterback who can “make all the throws,” even if he tends to scramble out of the pocket a little too much. Forte has been impressed by Williams’ ability to escape when pressured, however.
“But, on the other hand, he can make all the throws. His escapability aspect has actually been impressive, where some of the times he should’ve been sacked, and he was able to get away, so when it comes to the offense, he’s doing well.”
Matt Forte’s Message to Ben Johnson to Unleash Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams Chicago Bears
GettyCaleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears.
Along with chiming in on what he’s seen from Williams thus far, Forte had some thoughts about what Johnson should do to open things up for his second-year quarterback.
“I think something going forward, which I’m looking forward to with Ben, to see how he does this, is how does he change the running game to be impactful and able to help him (Williams),” Forte said. “Because everybody knows, even though it is not sexy, it’s not the most popular thing, an impactful running game is going to always help a veteran or a rookie quarterback or somebody in between.
“It’s always going to help him out. It’s going to put maybe even more guys in the box. It’s easier to read the defense. It’ll make the defense declare their looks earlier, and it makes you dynamic as an offense, so I’m looking forward to seeing when and how that happens.”
It’ll be interesting to see what Johnson does moving forward and whether he can truly unleash Williams’ true potential with the Bears, as that will be key to the team’s success this season and beyond.