While the Chicago Bears have gotten plenty of praise for their offense, the spotlight has shined brightest on quarterback Caleb Williams. But lofty offseason expectations must be matched with play on the field.
Especially when you’re a player like Williams, who went first overall in the NFL Draft. Fans watched players like Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Drake Maye ball out in 2024. However, Williams’ campaign wasn’t as heralded. That’s a tough look for the top pick.
Heading into 2025, Chicago has put Williams in a place to succeed. New head coach Ben Johnson is considered one of the best offensive minds in football while the Bears went out and added three new players to their offensive line. But not all things are rosy in the Windy City.
Keyshawn Johnson of FS1 understands the pressure that Williams will be under during the 2025 campaign. So while he understands the hype, Johnson just warned Williams to be ready for what’s to come, on Speak.
“But the pressure now, is real pressure on Caleb. First time head coach, a new system that’s coming into play. That head coach is going to want you to do some of the same things Jared Goff has been able to do within his system,” Johnson said. “You got a general manager that has now hired a second head coach. So you can’t expect for there to be not be pressure within the front office, because you only getting two hires.”
“They’re now re-tooling your offensive line for you. After getting you weapons from a year ago. You becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft, the fact of Chicago outside of Michael Jordan and Mike Ditka. To the point where, you got to deliver,” Johnson continued. “Year one is the past. Year two they’re going to start looking for you to do somethings. Year three they want you to take a major leap.”
“If you ain’t taking that leap in year three, you going to be looking at whoever’s getting drafted in the 2027 NFL Draft. They’ll start looking at them and going, ‘I really like the way that guy throws that football.’ You start looking at them not picking up for your fifth-year option, you being on the move,” Johnson concluded. “There’s a lot of pressure on Caleb.”