Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ rookie season didn’t exactly go according to plan. While Williams had a statistically impressive year, it was marred by coaching malpractice amid a 5-12 record, 10-game losing streak and being sacked a league-high 68 times.
Williams’ rookie season began with head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron but ended with both fired midseason. During 2024, Williams worked with two different head coaches and three offensive coordinators in his first season as a pro. That led to massive changes to the coaching staff and roster this offseason.
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Now with new head coach Ben Johnson running the show, Williams recently reflected back on his rookie season and the differences he’s seen so far this offseason, in comparison.
“You look at and you know the challenge,” Williams said. “First-year guy, new coach, offensive coordinator, and then a new coach for me, a new situation, new all of these different things. I wasn’t at a point where I looked at it and was like, ‘I knew this would happen.’ Nobody, I think, would sit back, and especially after you go, you know, four and two in the first six weeks, you don’t sit back and wonder and ponder on the bad. You face it when the bad comes, and that’s what we did.”
There is a much different vibe and feeling around the Bears this offseason, and with all attention being placed on Williams, he’ll have to have a much different showing as the team leader this year. His individual performance can continue to get better, but for Williams to have a successful sophomore season, he’ll have to lead the Bears to a winning record as they look to establish themselves as a playoff contender.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QB Caleb Williams reflects on ‘challenging’ rookie season