Caleb Williams had some flashes of excellence along with some inconsistent play throughout his rookie season. But after an incredibly impressive preseason debut in Sunday night’s preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, several high-profile media members now believe that Williams is a prime candidate to make a big leap in his second NFL season.
The Bears doubled down on Williams’ development for the 2025 season by bringing in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their new head coach, who is widely regarded as someone who played a key in transforming the Lions offseason into the juggernaut it has become.
While preseason games should be taken with a grain of salt, the Bears offseason looked incredibly dynamic with Williams at the helm on Sunday night. In the two drives that Williams took part in, the former No. 1 overall pick completing six of his ten pass attempts for 130 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus.
Caleb Williams and the Bears cap off a long opening drive with a touchdown!
Williams and Olamide Zaccheaus connect for a 36-yard TD to finish the drive.
Williams was 5/6 for 97 yards and 1 touchdown. 🏈 #NFL pic.twitter.com/m6KfrfuDYX
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 18, 2025
Williams and the first-team Bears offense was largely going up against the second-string defense of the Bills. But nonetheless, the developments in Williams’ poise in the pocket and decisiveness was quite clear to the vast majority of media members watching the game, who took to social media to share how impressed they were by his play.
“Everything you want to see from Caleb Williams,” wrote NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Everything you want to see from Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/6IfSyAw4Yw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 18, 2025
“Caleb Williams looked extremely sharp tonight,” wrote former NFL quarterback turned NFL analyst at The Athletic Chase Daniel. “Can’t wait to break him down on the YouTube channel.”
Caleb Williams looked extremely sharp tonight.
Can’t wait to break him down on the YouTube channel pic.twitter.com/wyOCW0otGt
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 18, 2025
“Caleb Williams on his 1st drive under new Head Coach Ben Johnson: 5/6 97 passing yards 1 TD pass 158.3 QB Rating,” wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. “You LOVE to see it.”
Caleb Williams on his 1st drive under new Head Coach Ben Johnson:
5/6 97 passing yards 1 TD pass
158.3 QB Rating
You LOVE to see it #DaBears pic.twitter.com/7XDQ6BCdlo
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 18, 2025
“What a ball from Caleb Williams,” wrote NFL Network analyst Adam Rank of Williams’ touchdown pass. “Keep punching air, haters.”
What a ball from Caleb Williams. Keep punching air, haters.
pic.twitter.com/mqafFYCwVp
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) August 18, 2025
“Is there stormy weather over Soldier Field or was that just a lightning bolt that came from Caleb Williams arm,” wrote Fox’s Colin Cowherd.
Is there stormy weather over Soldier Field or was that just a lightning bolt that came from Caleb Williams arm. #TDPass
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) August 18, 2025
Clearly, there is plenty of optimism about the Bears offense under Williams headed into the 2025 regular season after a 2024 season that was riddled in controversy for the Bears. So it will be interesting to see whether Williams can live up to these newfound expectations in Chicago.