LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has said he'd rather earn a victory than achieve any individual accolade. He lived that mantra last Sunday.
Williams was 15-of-26 for 172 yards and an interception as the Bears beat the Saints, 26-14, at Soldier Field. It was the worst game of Williams’ second season in the NFL.
“We get this figured out on my side, we'll be putting up a lot of points and be very dangerous,” Williams said after Chicago's fourth straight victory.
Williams' struggles came six days after Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN color analyst Troy Aikman had criticized his performance in Chicago's win at Washington on Oct. 13. Many fans in Chicago defended the 23-year-old Williams from what they believed was an unfair critique.
Chicago is a city that has long awaited a franchise quarterback and is eager to see whether Williams can meet that billing, but each game doesn’t have to be a referendum on those hopes.
Early in his career, Williams has been a capable-to-good quarterback boasting the potential to be great. With first-year head coach Ben Johnson overseeing Williams’ development, there’s reason to believe he can become a franchise quarterback.
Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions during a challenging rookie season in which the Bears went 5-12 and then-head coach Matt Eberflus was fired. Early in this 2025 season, he has made key strides. Williams has increased his yards per passing attempt (from 6.3 in 2024 to 7.3 in 2025), his passing yards per game (208.3 to 225.2), his quarterback rating (87.8 to 92.9) and his QBR (43.3 to 52.2).
So, one tough day at the office doesn’t change anything for Williams.
“At the end of the day, our guy loves to compete,” Bears quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett said of Williams. “He loves winning, loves ball. So, with that, he does have that care that has to be there in order to really do what we do. Because there are some times when it’s not fun playing quarterback. But having that passion, that’s something that carries you through.”
In the case of an NFL quarterback, growth isn’t linear. It hasn’t been for Williams, but it's an ongoing process just like it has been for many quarterbacks before him. Reigning MVP Josh Allen threw for 184.4 yards per game, 30 touchdowns and 21 interceptions his first two NFL seasons before emerging as a star his third year.
The Bears believe Williams is on the right track to becoming a franchise quarterback, and the Johnson-led regime deserves the benefit of the doubt. Each performance by Williams doesn't need to be be a referendum on his trajectory. It's worth trusting the process that's playing out and those overseeing it.
Soon, there could be Sundays in which Williams is the shining star of Bears victories. That’s when Chicago will know for certain it has a franchise arm.
Emma’s prediction (3-3): Ravens 27, Bears 23
The Bears' winning streak is halted at four games as the Ravens find their form with quarterback Lamar Jackson back in the fold. Williams will have a better day but won't produce quite enough to win.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.