The Chicago Bears looked like they were immediately set up for long-term success after drafting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, his rookie season did not live up to the standards his play throughout his collegiate career had already set. Change was a necessity, and it arrived in a multitude of ways for the Bears this summer.
Perhaps the biggest, though, was the installation of Ben Johnson as the new head coach. A true offensive genius, Chicago was counting on his playcalling ability to translate to their roster and give Williams the foundation to explode as a player.
But it wasn’t until Week 2 of the preseason that fans got to see the new QB-HC combo at work. In his first taste of the Johnson offense in a live game, how did the USC alum fare at the NFL level?
Did Caleb Williams Adjust to the Ben Johnson Way?
After months of anticipation, the fan base in Chicago finally got to see what their former first overall pick would look like with an offensive-minded head coach. Suffice it to say, the early returns were as good as, if not better than, anything fans could have imagined.
A final stat line of 107 passing yards and a touchdown, while completing six of 10 passing attempts to the tune of a 130.0 passer rating, feels like a sign of things to come for Williams and Chicago as a whole.
Caleb Williams in his 1st preseason action of 2025:
6-of-10
107 passing yards
1 TD, 0 INTs
130.0 passer ratingpic.twitter.com/iM9qKJ8sLV
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 18, 2025
After skipping Week 1 of the preseason, Williams was finally on the field, and he looked immediately dangerous. It wasn’t just about the raw numbers either.
Whether it be consistency in the pocket, clean throws, or immediate decision-making, the limited time he got against the Buffalo Bills gave Bears fans a glimpse of everything they have been clamoring for, and more.
It is likely that the few series he got against the Bills is the only action Williams sees until the start of the regular season against the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, the game carried extra motivation for both the quarterback and the head coach.
Thankfully, the performance from Williams was a rousing success and has answered every question fans could have had, at least for the time being. Now, it’s going to be on him to continue on this trajectory and potentially flip the script on the franchise as a whole.
