Bears QB Caleb Williams shattered records last season. Now, bettors crown him the favorite for the 2026 MVP, despite coaching changes.
We saw just how much growth Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had in the first season under head coach Ben Johnson.
Now, he's primed to take even more steps in his progression in year two of Johnson's reign.
Williams broke a franchise record for the Bears this season, surpassing Erik Kramer's record for single-season passing yards (3,838), which was set in 1995. Williams ended the 2025 regular season with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
On top of Williams' improvement, the Bears went to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, reaching the Divisional Round. The 2025 season officially came to a close after the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60.
However, that was last season, and now all eyes are on 2026. The Super Bowl 61 odds for next season are already out, with the Bears coming in at +2500.
People are already placing bets on who will win the 2026 MVP. The 2025 MVP was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw for 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in the regular season.
The bettors are very confident in Williams, as it was announced that the quarterback was the most bet-on player to take home the honor. Williams' odds to win the MVP are +1500, via DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Bears quarterback is behind Stafford, Dak Prescott, Drake Maye, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in terms of odds.
It definitely won't be easy for Williams to make that next step, especially with the staff changes in Chicago. The Bears lost running backs coach Eric Bieniemy and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle this offseason.
Bieniemy returned to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second stint as their OC. Doyle joined the Baltimore Ravens' staff as OC with newly-hired head coach Jesse Minter.
The Bears will have a new OC for Williams to work with, but the quarterback isn't unfamiliar with him. Chicago sent interview requests to Arizona Cardinals passing game specialist Connor Senger and Cincinnati Bengals receivers coach Troy Walters.
However, the Bears decided to make an internal hire, going with passing game coordinator Press Taylor. It will be Taylor's second time as an OC, with the first being with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022-24.
Reaching the postseason alone in 2026 again will be tough, as well as competing for the MVP. Regardless, Bears fans should be very excited about what Johnson has in store for them.
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