While Sunday night might not have been the outcome that the Chicago Bears wanted, it’s hard to stay too negative when witnessing what the team accomplished this season. Beyond the culture Ben Johnson established in his first season, the team established a belief that is a foundational change for the franchise. At the heart of that belief is second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams displayed all the talent that got him selected with the first overall pick in 2024, all the growth you would hope for in a player’s sophomore season, and all the maturity you could ask for as the face of a franchise. Williams earned the respect of his teammates and coaching staff through his work ethic, attitude, and play-making ability.
GettyCaleb Williams threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for an additional 40 yards in the Chicago Bears Divisional Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In a season that included a league-high seven fourth-quarter comeback victories, Williams proved that time and time again, when the game was on the line, he could deliver.
And in the biggest moment of the year, Williams delivered the best play of his career.
Breaking Down Caleb Williams’ 4th-Down Touchdown To Kmet
On fourth-and-four, Williams was forced to back-pedal and heave a practical Hail Mary that traveled 51.2 air yards into the arms of tight end Cole Kmet for a 14-yard score. The ‘Windy-City Miracle’ had only a 17.8% completion probability according to Next Gen stats.
Following the game, Caleb Williams broke down his perspective on how the play came together.
“I end up getting a little bit of pressure, and so, you know, try to break contain, and just break angles and slow those guys down so that when I do turn around, I can have a little bit more time to possibly be able to find somebody. They did a good job containing me, and so I just gained a little bit more depth”, Williams said. “I saw Cole [Kmet], one-on-one over there with everybody else on the other side at least, you know, near the goal post…I just wanted to give him my best ball and give him a shot, understanding it’s fourth down and you know, kind of game on the line.”
GettyThe Bears’ 11-6 record in Ben Johnson’s first year was their best season since 2018, when they went 12-4.
Ben Johnson also reacted to the wild play, praising Williams for his clutch improvisational skills.
“Ridiculous. That’s ridiculous, I mean, you talk about that fourth-and-eight from last week and how outstanding that was. I think this one was probably even another level ahead of that. There’s some things you just can’t coach, he’s got that about him. He’s got a knack, he’s clutch,” Johnson said. “He does so many good things, he’s an eraser, you know, I had plenty of bad calls each and every week, and he helps make it right for me.”
The Williams-Johnson pairing appears to be a perfect match as the duo moves into their first full offseason together, and as the Bears prepare to replicate their success next season.
The Bears’ First-Round Draft Position Is Locked In
General Manager Ryan Poles appears to have hit a home run with last year’s first-round pick, tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland set the NFL playoff record for the most postseason receiving yards (193) by a rookie tight end.
Now, as their season concludes, the Bears are officially locked in to the 25th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, barring any trade. Beyond their first rounder, the Bears own seven total picks at spot numbers 57, 89, 129 (via the Los Angeles Rams), 163, 239 (via the Philadelphia Eagles), and 241.
Chicago is likely to focus on addressing the defensive side, as the pass rush in particular ranked 25th in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
Along with the draft, Chicago is likely to become a hot destination for free agents as players will want to join the ‘Cardiac’ Bears as they finally get a little bit of rest before reloading for hopefully an even better year.
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