How the Chicago Bears' Safeties Make Caleb Williams a Better Quarterback

As the last line of defense, the safety position plays an integral part in any unit to help prevent explosive plays from happening. 

A slight hesitation as a run defender can allow a rushing lane to form. Taking the wrong angle on a ball carrier could be costly. And failing to turn and run with a receiver on a deep-developing route is asking for a touchdown to happen. 

Safety is an undervalued position in the NFL, but the Chicago Bears have invested heavily in the unit. Coby Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency, and the Bears drafted Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Clearly, the Bears wanted difference makers at the position. As a byproduct of having two talented players at the back end of Dennis Allen's defense, quarterback Caleb Williams benefits greatly. 

One of Williams' goals for the 2026 season is to become the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. A good way to achieve that milestone is to create explosive passing plays. How Williams can practice that against Bryant and Thieneman is by manipulating the safeties with his eyes, throwing accurate passes and playing on time. 

Throughout training camp, Williams will get test different throws, timing and accuracy against the two Bears' safeties. Those are the types of reps that benefit everyone. 

Thieneman played some reps with the first-team defense and has seen how challenging it is to go up against Williams. 

“He’s good," Thieneman said. "He can dial it up. He’s athletic, he can move, and he has great eyes. I think he can be really good.”

Bryant also thinks really highly of his quarterback. 

“Like I said from day one, he's elite," he said. "That's why he's the cover of Madden and that's always exciting as well too. I got his back no matter what. He’s a great player, just elite. He shows me something different every day. As a leader, I try to give him a different look and challenge him, and he has challenged me for sure. He’s a special talent.”

Speaking of challenging Williams, in Wednesday's mandatory minicamp practice, Bryant intercepted Williams during a two-minute drill session, according to reporters at Halas Hall. 

“That’s just me making a play," Bryant said. "I had to get him before the offseason started as well too, so I feel good about that. I know he didn't like that; I saw his demeanor on that one. But he’s a true competitor who comes out every day willing the work and I can't say enough about him. He's too talented for sure.”

The phrase iron sharpens iron is an accurate way to describe how Bryant and Thieneman will impact Williams and vice versa. The future battles in training camp between the three players will better prepare the entire team for the 2026 NFL season.