He did it. Honestly, if you watched that Wild Card game against the Packers, you saw exactly why the debate about the starting QB for Bears has finally, mercifully, gone silent. Caleb Williams didn't just play; he survived a massive 18-point deficit to pull off a 31-27 comeback that felt like a fever dream for a fan base used to offensive heartbreak.
People love to talk about the "Bears QB curse." It’s basically a local religion in Chicago at this point. But 2025 changed the math. Williams didn't just lean on a lucky defense. He went out there and threw for 3,942 yards in the regular season, officially erasing Erik Kramer’s 1995 record from the books. It took 30 years. Three decades of mediocre pocket presence and "what-if" draft picks, all wiped away by a kid who wears his heart on his sleeve and paints his nails.
The Stats That Actually Matter
Let's get into the nitty-gritty because the box scores don't tell the whole story.
Yes, 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions is a great ratio for a second-year guy. But look at the rushing. He’s not just a statue. He added two scores on the ground and kept drives alive when the pocket collapsed—which, let's be real, happened a lot early in the year.
The completion percentage is the one thing critics point to. It hovered around 57-61%. People see that and think "inaccurate," but they aren't watching the throwaways or the high-degree-of-difficulty shots he takes to Rome Odunze. He’s playing aggressive football. It’s a "nuclear" style that reminds a lot of scouts of Josh Allen’s second year. You remember Allen’s leap? That’s what Chicago is banking on for 2026.
The Ben Johnson Effect
You can't talk about the starting QB for Bears without mentioning the guy holding the clipboard. Ben Johnson coming over from Detroit was the best thing to happen to this franchise since the 1985 defense. He stopped trying to force Caleb into a rigid system. Basically, he let Caleb be Caleb.
🔗 Read more: Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
- Rookie Weapons: Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland aren't just "promising." They are elite. Loveland just put up 137 yards in a playoff game as a rookie tight end.
- The Offensive Line: Adding Joe Thuney and getting a breakout year from Darnell Wright gave Williams the 2.5 seconds he actually needs to scan the field.
- Play Calling: The use of RPOs and designed rollouts has tripled. It keeps defenses honest and prevents Montez Sweat (on the other side) from being the only star people talk about in Chicago.
That Injury Scare
Everyone at Soldier Field held their breath on January 10th. When Caleb rolled that right ankle in the third quarter against Green Bay, the stadium went silent. You could hear a pin drop. He limped off, and for a second, it felt like the "same old Bears" luck was back.
But he came back out. He downplayed it after the game, calling his ankles "pliable." It sounds a little "TB12-ish," but hey, if it keeps him on the field, fans will buy whatever yoga mat he’s selling. He finished that game with 361 passing yards. That's a franchise playoff record. He’s doing things Jay Cutler and Rex Grossman never even touched.
What’s Next for the Chicago QB Room?
Tyson Bagent is still the backup, and Case Keenum is the veteran in the room. It’s a stable group. There’s no "quarterback controversy" for the first time in a generation. The focus now is entirely on the Divisional Round against the Rams.
The real test for the starting QB for Bears isn't just breaking records anymore. It's about consistency. Can he avoid those "hero ball" interceptions that popped up against the Lions? Can he handle the pressure of being the NFC's No. 2 seed? Most analysts, including guys like Daniel Jeremiah, think he’s on an MVP trajectory for 2026.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Bears' progress, watch these specific markers over the next few games:
- Red Zone Efficiency: Keep an eye on the connection with Cole Kmet. Williams is starting to favor the tight ends when the field shrinks.
- Ankle Mobility: Watch his dropbacks in the first quarter of the next game. If he’s sticking to the pocket more than usual, that ankle might be bugging him more than he's admitting.
- Third-Down Conversions: The "Houdini" acts are great for highlights, but look for more "on-time" throws to DJ Moore to see if the rhythm is evolving.
The era of searching for a savior is over. The savior is wearing number 18 and he's currently preparing for the biggest game of his life.
Next Steps for Following the Postseason:
- Monitor the official Wednesday injury report for updates on Caleb's ankle status.
- Track Luther Burden III’s snap counts, as his chemistry with Williams is the "X-factor" for the deep ball.
- Review the All-22 film from the Packers game to see how Ben Johnson adjusted the protection schemes in the second half.