I dreaded this assignment on Sunday because the Bears lost, Caleb Williams “missed” some throws, didn’t have a great showing in the box score, and the discourse around the second-year quarterback ranged from concerned to angry.
It doesn’t help that numerous prominent social media accounts in the Bears sphere recklessly question the quarterback’s growth weekly in a shameless attempt to drive engagement, even if the engagement is ill-informed doom and gloom.
And the Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson said this on a local radio hit on Monday as I was settling in to watch the tape and begin putting this story together:
“He played better this game than I think he had the previous two. When you look at it, all 60 minutes, and I’m not saying it’s perfect. I actually came away, from watching the tape this morning, encouraged that we took a step in the right direction here this week. I know for some people it’s hard maybe rationalize because the result wasn’t there. But yeah, I saw tangible growth from him. He’s working his ass off.”
Johnson is right. Even if you don’t believe my eyes in this weekly space, I’d say Johnson knows much better than you and me.
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesCaleb Williams Continues to Grow Despite Box Score Struggles
Let’s get into that end-of-game “wide open miss” to DJ Moore in the end zone that’s been burning up the Twittersphere.
end of the bears game was cringy, but the final play was just djm settling down behind the LB when Caleb was expecting him to get into that window. pic.twitter.com/InfIwgv11y
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) October 27, 2025The tight view on this play shows Moore settling behind Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith in the back of the end zone. It’s very evident that Williams wants Moore to stay on the move along the end line, and if he does, we’re talking about a six-point connection. If you’re trying to make a case that Moore flashed off the break in his route before settling, you’re not watching where Williams’ eyes were in that moment. The read was right to left, and when his eyes shift to DJM, Moore is in the interception window for Roquan.
Here’s where my concern is on this play: We’re still having problems with Williams and Moore being on the same page on what specific routes should look like. This isn’t a physical miss by Williams, but rather a long-running issue between him and DJM. I’m not even interested in speculating who’s right and wrong here, although I lean toward the receiver continuing to move away from the mike linebacker planted in front of him with plenty of space to do so.
As Williams himself admitted after the game, the intentional grounding call before halftime is another prime example of Williams’s not being on the same page as his receivers.
“On the intentional grounding, I just wasn’t on the same page with Loveland,” Williams said. “It was a choice route. He has a couple of different options to break in, sit, or break out. I just wasn’t on the same page. That comes with reps.”
Williams and his receivers’ lack of communication is a problem — but it’s a shared problem. I don’t have an answer to how Ben Johnson will address that, and that’s why he gets paid the big bucks.
Let’s discuss the fourth-quarter interception, which was Sunday’s real game-breaker (video and elevator music courtesy of Matt Waldman).
This is the 1st bad decision from Caleb Williams vs. the Ravens and it was a doozy. At top of the drop CW doesn't like the CB's leverage over the top. Waits too long, and the CB is in position to undercut from trail. Better of checking to the back in the flat. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/qkEx7Ld89X
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 27, 2025Caleb’s take: “It was a good read,” Williams said afterward. “I could have led him farther out in front instead of giving him a shot right here. The DB made a great break. Unfortunate with where we were on the field.”
Ben’s take: “There might have been another option we could have gotten to.”
My take: Given the game situation and field position, Ben’s right, here. But given how the offense is currently designed, Williams’ read isn’t as egregiously bad as it is in a vacuum. Allow me to explain.
Part of the reason Caleb Williams’ play still feels uneven has less to do with the quarterback himself and more to do with the ecosystem around him. Ben Johnson’s offense is built on the run — Chicago ranks sixth in run rate over expectation — and that’s intentional. The Bears are trying to establish rhythm through the ground game and build explosive plays, rather than living in the quick-passing world most teams with young quarterbacks rely on. Which, by the way, they’re nailing …
Most big plays through Week 8: pic.twitter.com/mtEck3aIhg
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 28, 2025That choice isn’t just about protecting Williams; it’s about protecting the offensive line. Since Theo Benedet took over at left tackle in Week 6, the Bears have leaned into that philosophy even harder. They’re in the top three in both run rate over expectation and designed rollouts (16.3%) over that span. It’s clear what Johnson is doing — running the ball, moving the pocket, and taking pressure off a young left tackle while still asking Williams to attack vertically.
It’s a calculated trade-off, and it makes sense. It highlights Williams’ strengths — his arm strength, creativity, and comfort throwing on the move — while minimizing some of the protection issues that can wreck a young offense. The downside is that it leaves less room for easy completions and rhythm throws.
The truth is, not every decision in Chicago’s offense revolves around the quarterback, even if it looks that way. Johnson is managing the big picture — insulating his offensive line while letting his rookie grow within structure. Williams needs to be more consistent with the simple stuff: hitting layups, staying patient, and trusting his reads. The overthrows and rushed releases stem from old habits — the kind you expect from a young QB who used to hold the ball too long and invite pressure. But there’s growth here, too. Williams has cut his sack rate in half from a year ago, and as his trust in the line improves, so will his tempo.
There’s still a lot to smooth out, but the flashes — the tight-window lasers, the on-the-move ropes, the off-script magic — serve as the reminder of what this kid can become once everything clicks.
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddye Buchanan (40) defends during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesThe bottom line …
Johnson is correct that the box score doesn’t accurately describe Williams’ overall performance in this game. The tape backs it up, and there were more throws this week than last that accurately describe Williams’s overall plays. This is indeed going to be fine long-term.
Here are a few (and there were plenty more):
This is just a ridiculous throw from Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/9YZygulDen
— Dave (@dave_bfr) October 27, 2025Caleb Williams using eyes & hips to pause the CB before delivering a deep strike to Rome Odunze on 3rd & 6 pic.twitter.com/oPiHTqjacv
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) October 28, 2025Caleb Williams to Rome OdunzePA / Toss fake rolling right in stride to WR#DaBears pic.twitter.com/pAKxaBBws8
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 27, 2025Caleb Williams with a laser to DJ Moore on the in-cut following the INT. 18 yards on 2nd and 6#DaBears pic.twitter.com/dnRD1CIGX7
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 27, 2025Caleb Williams looking downfield, but when Roquan Smith comes through clean, you gotta a check it. He does. Caleb has been consistently on point with what #DaBears OL is giving him good or bad. pic.twitter.com/dDW2o6KMCz
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 27, 2025Ok… After my "darkness retreat" to watch All-22 again, here's my conclusions about Caleb Williams:1. The talent is there2. There are so many plays that are available within the first 2.5 seconds, and Caleb is passing up on the easy wins to go for home runsDecide, Rip, & Win pic.twitter.com/SBRkzGZreI
— Adam Mason (@adamhmason) October 27, 2025Caleb Williams makes the big-time play here, but his WR Rome Odunze has to catch this — difficult pass, but that's his role here. Excellent sidestep from first point of pressure and anticipates second point so he can flush outside. Good placement on move. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/QNyuQJnv97
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 27, 2025I think you get the point — at least, I hope you do.
I’ll close this week’s exercise with an area for improvement for the Bears offense moving forward, which would alleviate some of the real-time angst:
The Bears entered Week 8 with one of the league’s best turnover margins and a recent stretch of efficient scoring. But they went 1-for-3 in the red zone on Sunday, are now 5-for-16 over their last four games, and the season-long number has dipped under 50%.
Chicago’s offense has been very good at moving the ball inside the 20s, evident by the big play numbers, but it has struggled to finish inside the red zone in recent weeks. It’s no coincidence that Williams’ “bad stretch” perfectly lines up with the offense’s red zone struggles.
To the “what’s your level of concern with Caleb Williams?” crowd: Zero.
Whether we like it or not, this is effectively Caleb Williams’ rookie season. You can’t say that Williams had to deal with crappy design and playcalling and an offensive line that couldn’t protect him last year and then pretend that those games should be a part of his evaluation process.
When the Bears cleaned house, they admitted they failed their young quarterback. When they acquired three starting interior offensive linemen and drafted a tackle with a second-round pick, they admitted they couldn’t protect him.
For all intents and purposes, Williams is seven games into the only evaluation period that matters. Making grand statements every week is silly. Oh, and by the way, here’s how Williams stacks up with Jared Goff to this point in their marriage with Ben Johnson:
Jared goffs numbers first 8 weeks under Johnson compared to Caleb’s are similar and Goff had much more expierence. I hoping Caleb can take the next step and find that rhythm and timing. pic.twitter.com/NZ7ejjwtEc
— ? ℕ.ℝ. ? ?⏬ (@Bears_Dubz) October 27, 2025Related: BN Bears Podcast Ep. 6
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