Keep Going: Caleb Williams Reflects on Rookie Season as Change Approaches the Bears in 2025
A Learning Experience
With one week remaining in a season that started with sky-high expectations for the Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams took a moment to look back, but also chart a course forward into one of the most important years in franchise history.
"I have complete faith in the people upstairs to provide whatever we need to be able to go out there and win games," Williams told WGN’s Kaitlin Sharkey.
Lessons Learned
Williams, last year’s top pick in the draft and the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Southern California, rode into the 2024 season on the wings of playoff expectations. The Bears got off to a 4-2 start that included a three-game stretch where Williams threw for 687 yards, seven TD passes, and one interception in three straight wins.
Then came a back-breaking Hail Mary at the end of their Week 8 game at the Washington Commanders, and Chicago hasn’t won since. The Bears tied a franchise record 10-game losing streak last Sunday, which included the firings of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after a Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots, and head coach Matt Eberflus after a time management debacle at the Detroit Lions in Week 13.
The Road Ahead
Now, sitting at 4-12 in the basement of the NFC North for the third straight year, Williams offered his thoughts on what kind of coach he wants leading Chicago next season, his offseason plan of improvement, and three lessons learned from his first year in the NFL.
"I’d say the biggest one — I learned this my freshman year of college. Didn’t really have to use it, other than now, which is the ‘keep going’ kind of thing … This was different than my freshman year, but trying to use the similarities of my freshman year to this year. So, I think that’s No. 1," Williams said.
Offseason Plans
Williams spent his first two seasons at the University of Oklahoma. He spent the first five games of his collegiate career serving as backup QB to Spencer Rattler. Rattler, another former 5-star high school quarterback, was benched early on during the 2021 renewal of the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma.
Down 28-7 to the Longhorns, Williams took his first snap of the game 66 yards to the house. By game’s end, Williams led eight more scoring drives and helped fuel a comeback victory that cemented him as the starting quarterback in Norman and sent him down a path to become an eventual No. 1 overall pick in the NFL.
"I think the next thing would be what it takes each day to be the quarterback, to be able to be the same guy every day, to be able to walk in here and be consistent. Figuring out what it takes and still learning that it’s not going to be … just a one-year thing. That’s going to be a multiple-year thing. I think those two are at the top," Williams said.
What’s Next
Learning what it takes to be the quarterback of the Bears is one of the primary motivators behind his plans for this offseason. Williams said his offseason to-do list includes working on his footwork, studying concepts, defensive fronts, shells, and more.
"I’m going to go and work really heavily on my footwork and things like that — rhythm and timing, not hanging on routes. Some of that comes from film and some of it just comes from reps in the offense, reps in the film room … So, when I get back here I can, when I hear a concept, it’s not thinking about, ‘What drop is this?’ or anything like that," Williams said.
The Coach He Wants
When it comes to the eventual head coach who helps him learn those concepts and study opposing defenses, Williams said he wants a disciplined winner. Someone who challenges him and his fellow players every day to the point he doesn’t have to show the love he has for the game of football because they will already feel it.
"A coach that wants to win, a coach that challenges myself [and] the other guys — a disciplined coach," Williams said. "Just a coach that wants to win and embodies that and helps us players in game, [in] practice. [Someone] that’s tough on us, but also shows some character, some liveliness, and shows some love to his players and a person that doesn’t just show it — we can feel it even if he’s not a huge shower of emotion or anything like that … Just showing us that he cares for us," he added.
Conclusion
Regardless of the outcome Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, Williams said he would define his rookie season as "a learning experience." He has thrown for 3,393 yards, 19 TD passes, and six interceptions through 16 games, which ranks as the fifth-most passing yards in a single season in franchise history.
FAQs
What are Caleb Williams’ plans for the offseason?
Williams plans to work on his footwork, studying concepts, defensive fronts, shells, and more.
What kind of coach does Caleb Williams want to lead the Bears next season?
Williams wants a disciplined winner who challenges him and his fellow players every day to be successful.
What are Caleb Williams’ thoughts on his rookie season?
Williams defines his rookie season as "a learning experience" and plans to use it to grow and improve as a quarterback and leader.
