The Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams with high hopes, and it’s no surprise they are banking on him to be their next franchise quarterback. However, not everyone is convinced. Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly recently shared a harsh prediction about Williams’ future, suggesting that his time in Chicago may end in disaster.
Daniel Kelly Has Doubts About Caleb Williams’ Future in Chicago
Kelly spent four years as a pro scout with the Jets and took to X to clarify his stance.
“Caleb Williams will have one of two outcomes in Chicago: 1. He’ll get Ben Johnson fired. 2. He’ll get traded, and the Bears will let Johnson handpick his own quarterback,” wrote Kelly.
That’s a bold claim, especially considering Williams was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is expected to lead Chicago into a new era. On the other hand, Kelly’s skepticism reflects concerns about Williams’ rookie struggles and how he fits into Johnson’s system.
Ben Johnson, the Bears’ new head coach, has a strong reputation as an offensive mind. He played a key role in reviving Jared Goff’s career with the Detroit Lions and was named the AP 2024 Assistant Coach of the Year.
As Kelly suggests, Williams presents a different kind of project. Williams is still developing, unlike Goff, who had experience and a structured skill set. His improvisational style could make it harder for Johnson to implement his system effectively. If Williams doesn’t progress quickly, Kelly’s prediction that Williams could lead to Johnson’s downfall might not be far-fetched.
Williams had an inconsistent debut season. He threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns but struggled with efficiency, finishing 28th in the NFL with a 46.7 quarterback rating. He also ranked 33rd in PFSN’s QB+ metric, falling behind players like Daniel Jones, Jameis Winston, and Mac Jones.
However, one positive takeaway was his ability to protect the ball. Williams set an NFL record for the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception by a rookie (354) and finished the season with just six interceptions.
His decision-making was solid throughout, but much of it was overshadowed by his inability to sustain drives and perform under pressure. When pressured, he ranked 32nd in expected points added (EPA) per dropback and had a third-down conversion rate of just 30.5% (36th in the league), per PFSN’s Ben Rolfe.
Although Chicago has invested heavily in Williams, his long-term future will depend on how well he adapts to Johnson’s coaching. If he struggles, the Bears might need to decide between sticking with their young quarterback or giving Johnson the chance to find someone else. Let’s say Williams has the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong for now, but with high expectations and a demanding new coach, the pressure is on.