“The things that we highlighted for Caleb to start the season, I did think they improved as the season went along,” Johnson said. “We revamped the footwork a little bit last spring, and I think the comfort level grew from that. He certainly got more comfortable with the concepts that we were running over the course of the season.
“That’s something that we can build upon, and yet there’s still a lot more that we can push through in that regard. And so, I’m really encouraged about the steps he took this year. I’m Caleb Williams’ No. 1 believer. I have a lot of faith in him, what he’s capable of doing, and the player that he’s still striving to become.”
Williams started every game for the second straight season, the first Bears quarterback to accomplish that feat in back-to-back years since the NFL expanded from 14 to 16 games in 1978. The previous two Bears quarterbacks to make every start in two straight seasons were Bob Avellini (1976-77) and Bill Wade (1962-63).
Williams’ 361 yards in the wild card win over the Packers were the most by a Bears quarterback in a postseason game, topping Mitchell Trubisky’s 303 yards Jan. 16, 2019, against the Eagles. It was the second most yards in Williams’ career, trailing only the 363 yards he compiled Sept. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis.
“He was great,” said All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright. “There were games where he singlehandedly won us the game. He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever played with, for sure. I’m happy he’s going to be my quarterback next year.”