For years, the Chicago Bears suffered in quarterback purgatory, but with Caleb Williams, the franchise finally feels like it might have their guy.
Year 1 wasn’t too good, but under Ben Johnson in Year 2, yeah, the differences were noticeable. So much so that the Bears, as we look towards Caleb’s third season, will be seen as a genuine playoff contender, if not more.
And with Williams in line to get a new contract in the next few seasons, the Bears will have a decision to make.
But for general manager Ryan Poles, if Williams shows consistency, it’s an open-and-shut case.
“I want to be clear: Anyone that’s watched the league long enough knows that for quarterback play, it’s consistency,” Poles said via the Chicago Sun-Times. “Can you stack years on top of each other? We still have steps to go. I don’t want to make it like he’s already [there]. He knows he’s got work to do.
“But if all of that falls into place, we have to understand how that changes our formula as we move forward. That’s a great thing to be on that path. I feel like we have a long-term quarterback solution. It makes me excited.”
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Bears finally have their guy
The performance jump we saw from Williams in Year 2 was superb. He threw seven more TDs (27 total), to just seven interceptions, while having more passing yards, and 42 fewer sacks.
Not to mention going from five wins to 11.
So, the path forward is clear, especially under Johnson, and as we enter Year 2 with Williams and Johnson as a quarterback/play-caller tandem, the expectation is that Williams will continue to ascend.
Of course, Poles wants consistency, and that is the next thing Williams has to get into his arsenal of weapons, but that is tough for everyone.
But if the gap between his worst game and his best game can shrink, then when it is Williams’ turn at the negotiation table, he’ll be set. And so too will the Bears.
