Bears' Caleb Williams Could Take a Big Leap Forward This Season

The Chicago Bears rounded out their 2025-26 season atop the NFC North, and it was a strong showing for first-year head coach Ben Johnson.

But, Johnson isn’t the kind of guy to be happy with anything short of a Super Bowl, so he’s loaded up on fresh faces for the squad for the 2026-27 season.

The biggest loss, however, for the Bears is obvious: DJ Moore. The Bears traded him to Buffalo Bills during the offseason, so that could hit this franchise. But, quarterback Caleb Williams has shown that he has chemistry with multiple players, so I still see this being a real breakout year for Williams.

In a feature for Fox Sports, Ben Arthur ranks the strongest offenses in the NFL right now. “There’s still a long way to go before we see real football again,” he notes in the piece. “But with the NFL Draft in the books and the majority of the top-tier free agents signed, teams know what the core of their squads will look like in 2026.”

Arthur puts the Bears’ offense at No. 6, which is a great spot.

“Even with DJ Moore out of the picture, the arrow on the Bears’ offense is pointed up,” Arthur states. “Quarterback Caleb Williams is poised to make a massive leap in Year 3 after dazzling in clutch moments in 2025.”

More sports news:Bears Cut Fifth-Round Pick Just One Year After Drafting Him

He adds: “Second-year tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden are ascending, as is third-year receiver Rome Odunze. After losing Pro Bowler Drew Dalman to an early retirement, Chicago has both its center of the present (Garrett Bradbury) and future (Logan Jones) on the roster.”

Why It Matters: Caleb Williams in 2026

More sports news:Chad Ochocinco Ranks His Top Wide Receivers in the NFL

So, yes, I agree with Arthur that Williams will make a “massive leap” in his third year in the NFL. He also took a huge leap last season from his rookie year, so having more time with Johnson is only going to help. I’d say that the rest of the NFC North should be very scared of the Chicago Bears and Williams this season.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM.