Caleb Williams targets throwing accuracy and footwork refinement, fueled by playoff frustration, to elevate his game and lead the Bears to future victories.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams took some significant steps in his development this season.
In Week 18, he passed Erik Kramer's 1995 record for the most single-season passing yards (3,838) in franchise history. Williams ended the regular season with 3,942 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, needing to throw three more to beat Kramer's record for most passing touchdowns in a season.
Sadly, the Bears' playoff journey ended in the Divisional Round after the 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams. After the game, Williams said the two words that came to mind were frustration and fire.
It's clear that he is extra motivated heading into the offseason and is using that to improve his game. At a recent press conference, Williams shared that he's focusing on his throwing accuracy and footwork in the offseason.
"So being able to be in the offense for a year, being able to be comfortable in the offense now, you know, being able to go back and look at, you know, being able to go back and look at, you know, things I could have done better," Williams said. "Was I too far forward? Was I too far back? You know, was I not consistent enough with my footwork, and you know, did I lean off and fall off the mound, is what we call it, and things like that. So it's just you know, super small things to be able to be more consistent for the guys, for the team, to be able to keep the offense on the field."
Accuracy and footwork are definitely two areas where Williams could improve.
In the playoffs, Williams had four touchdowns and five interceptions. The last interception he threw in the game against the Rams was intended for D.J. Moore.
The pass was underthrown and intercepted by safety Kam Curl, as the Rams later got into position to hit the game-winning field goal.
Before that, he threw two interceptions in the 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. Williams had a great season, don't get me wrong, but he can still improve in a few areas.
The road is going to get harder for the Bears in 2026. Some of the teams they'll face next season include the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots.
That's not even including teams from the NFC North.
If Williams is this motivated after year two, watch out.