The Chicago Bears have been searching for a franchise quarterback for what feels like an eternity. After a turbulent rookie season for their former No. 1 overall pick, the organization made a pivotal move this offseason by hiring offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, one of the league's most respected offensive minds. This past weekend, the Bears' first-team offense, under Johnson's direction, looked like a completely different unit. The play-calling was innovative, the protection was solid, and for the first time in a long time, there was a sense of competence and optimism surrounding the offense.
The hopes for the Bears' season rest almost entirely on the development of their young quarterback. The team has surrounded him with a solid group of weapons, including DJ Moore and a promising rookie receiver. If the quarterback can take a significant step forward, the Bears have the talent on both sides of the ball to be a surprise playoff contender. The entire city of Chicago is watching, desperate for their team to finally find a long-term answer at the most important position in sports.
In his two drives against the Buffalo Bills, Caleb Williams looked like a serviceable and, at times, impressive NFL quarterback. While he didn't light up the stat sheet, finishing 6-of-10 for 107 yards and a touchdown, it was the poise and decision-making that stood out. His progression against pressure, a major issue during his rookie year, was on full display. He made quick reads, got the ball out on time, and made the right decisions, avoiding the costly mistakes that plagued him in the past. He looked comfortable and in command, a stark contrast to the often-panicked player we saw last season.
This performance, while brief, is a significant step in the right direction for Williams. He is starting to look like the franchise QB the Bears hoped he would be when they drafted him. For fantasy football, this is a critical development. Williams is currently being drafted as the QB15, often behind players with less upside. If he continues to build on this performance and thrives in Ben Johnson's quarterback-friendly system, there is a legitimate chance he could finish inside the top 12. This makes him a fantastic high-upside QB2 and a potential steal in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. His development is one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2025 season.