Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during his 2025 preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
By Reice Shipley on

Caleb Williams had some flashes of excellence along with some inconsistent play throughout his rookie season. But after an incredibly impressive preseason debut in Sunday night’s preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, several high-profile media members now believe that Williams is a prime candidate to make a big leap in his second NFL season.

The Bears doubled down on Williams’ development for the 2025 season by bringing in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their new head coach, who is widely regarded as someone who played a key in transforming the Lions offseason into the juggernaut it has become.

While preseason games should be taken with a grain of salt, the Bears offseason looked incredibly dynamic with Williams at the helm on Sunday night. In the two drives that Williams took part in, the former No. 1 overall pick completing six of his ten pass attempts for 130 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus.

Williams and the first-team Bears offense was largely going up against the second-string defense of the Bills. But nonetheless, the developments in Williams’ poise in the pocket and decisiveness was quite clear to the vast majority of media members watching the game, who took to social media to share how impressed they were by his play.

“Everything you want to see from Caleb Williams,” wrote NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

“Caleb Williams looked extremely sharp tonight,” wrote former NFL quarterback turned NFL analyst at The Athletic Chase Daniel. “Can’t wait to break him down on the YouTube channel.”

“Caleb Williams on his 1st drive under new Head Coach Ben Johnson: 5/6 97 passing yards 1 TD pass 158.3 QB Rating,” wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. “You LOVE to see it.”

“What a ball from Caleb Williams,” wrote NFL Network analyst Adam Rank of Williams’ touchdown pass. “Keep punching air, haters.”

“Is there stormy weather over Soldier Field or was that just a lightning bolt that came from Caleb Williams arm,” wrote Fox’s Colin Cowherd.

Clearly, there is plenty of optimism about the Bears offense under Williams headed into the 2025 regular season after a 2024 season that was riddled in controversy for the Bears. So it will be interesting to see whether Williams can live up to these newfound expectations in Chicago.

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley