Caleb Williams’ Accuracy Woes: Why the Bears Aren’t Panicking Just Yet
Back in June, when Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams set the bar at a 70% completion rate, it was more than just a number. It was a statement of intent - a sign that the Bears were aiming high with their rookie quarterback and new-look offense.
Fast forward to Week 14, and that number remains out of reach. In fact, Williams hasn’t hit 70% in a single game this season.
His best effort? Week 3 against the Cowboys, when he completed 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns - a strong outing by any measure, but still just shy of the mark at 67.9%.
On the season, Williams is sitting at a 57.8% completion rate. That’s a long way from the goal, and it’s fair to ask why.
Head coach Ben Johnson addressed that very question during a recent press conference at Halas Hall, offering some insight into what’s really going on behind the scenes. And it’s not as simple as “he’s missing throws.”
More on the Plate, More to Process
“There’s a lot of thinking going on for him right now,” Johnson said. And that’s not a knock - it’s a reflection of how much the Bears have put on Williams’ plate since the bye week.
According to Johnson, the offense has evolved quite a bit from the early part of the season. The training wheels haven’t necessarily come off, but the system has opened up. There are more shifts, more motions, more complexity pre-snap - and that means Williams has more to process before the ball is even in his hands.
That’s where the growing pains show up. All that mental work before the snap can affect what happens after it. Timing, rhythm, and decision-making - all of it gets just a bit tougher when your brain is juggling multiple variables before the play even begins.
Growing the Run Game, Building the Foundation
But there’s a silver lining here, and Johnson made sure to point it out. The added complexity hasn’t just been a burden for Williams - it’s also been a catalyst for the Bears’ run game.
By layering in more motion and misdirection, the offense has become harder to read and defend. That’s opened up lanes for the backs and helped create a more balanced attack. And while that might not show up in Williams’ completion percentage just yet, it’s part of a bigger-picture strategy that’s slowly taking shape.
“This is something we’re going to continue to work through,” Johnson said. “Each week, you continue to see improvement.”
Flashes of Brilliance, and the Patience to Match
Johnson isn’t sugarcoating things. He knows there are throws Williams should be hitting - and Williams knows it too.
But there are also those moments that make you sit up and say, *That’s why he was the No. 1 pick. *
“Yeah, there’s some of those that you look at, and he says, ‘Man, I’ve got to hit that,’” Johnson said. “And then there’s other ones that are going to be challenging throws that he makes, and it’s like, ‘Holy cow.’”
That’s the duality of a rookie quarterback in a complex system. The misses are frustrating, but the flashes are undeniable.
And for Johnson, it’s not a question of if Williams will get there - it’s *when. *
A Work in Progress, by Design
The truth is, this was never going to be a finished product in Year 1. Building a high-level NFL offense takes time, especially when you're integrating a young quarterback and a first-year playcaller. The Bears knew that going in.
So while the completion percentage might not be where they want it, the process behind the scenes tells a different story - one of growth, adaptation, and a quarterback slowly taking ownership of a system that’s only going to get more dangerous as he gets more comfortable.
The numbers don’t lie. But they don’t tell the whole story either. And if Johnson and Williams are right, the best chapters are still ahead.