Kurt Warner Breaks Down Caleb Williams’ Growth - And Why the Bears’ New Approach Is Working
There’s been a noticeable shift in how the Chicago Bears are handling Caleb Williams - and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner sees it clearly. On a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Warner didn’t just toss around praise or critique based on a flashy highlight reel. Instead, he delivered a thoughtful breakdown of how the Bears have restructured their offense to better suit their rookie quarterback - and why that’s made all the difference.
This isn’t about Williams suddenly turning into a different player. It’s about the Bears finally giving him a structure that lets his talent shine without asking him to carry the entire franchise on his back.
From “Do-It-All” to “Do-What-Matters”
Earlier this season, Warner was one of many voices pointing out that Williams needed to clean up his efficiency. That critique hasn’t disappeared - but what has changed is the workload.
In Warner’s words, the Bears have stopped asking Williams to be a 35-throw-a-game savior. Instead, they’re putting him in positions to make the right plays at the right times - and trusting the rest of the roster to do their part.
“They’re not dropping back and asking him to throw it 35 times a game and make every play,” Warner said. “They’re asking him to make some situational plays throughout a game, and then create, buy a little bit of time, do the special things that you do.
And that’s enough right now. We don’t need you to carry this football team.”
That’s a far cry from how the Bears operated earlier in the year, when Williams was expected to be the engine, the steering wheel, and the GPS all at once. Now, he’s more of a precision tool - used strategically, not recklessly.
And the result? A calmer, more confident quarterback who’s starting to look like the guy Chicago hoped they were drafting.
Ben Johnson’s Blueprint
Much of this evolution ties back to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, whose fingerprints are all over this recalibrated approach. Johnson’s scheme has brought more rhythm and intelligence to the offense, giving Williams cleaner reads and more defined roles on each play. That’s taken a huge mental load off the rookie - and it’s showing in his body language and decision-making.
“That’s taken a huge weight off of Caleb’s shoulders and allowed him to play more free and more confident,” Warner added.
It’s not just about stats - it’s about situational execution. Williams still has his rookie moments, and his accuracy has wavered at times.
But when the Bears need a play, he’s delivering. That’s what matters most in December football.
Chasing History, But Playing Smart
Now, let’s talk numbers for a second. Williams is sitting at 3,400 passing yards heading into Week 17. That puts him within striking distance of becoming the first Bears quarterback to hit 4,000 yards in a single season - a milestone that’s somehow eluded the franchise for decades.
But let’s be real: with the 49ers and Lions on deck, that’s a tall order. He’d need to average 300 yards in each of the next two games, and those defenses aren’t exactly known for giving up yardage in bunches. Still, stranger things have happened in this league - especially when a quarterback is playing with confidence and a coaching staff is putting him in position to succeed.
The Bigger Picture: NFC Implications
Beyond personal milestones, there’s a bigger prize on the table. If the Bears win out and the Seahawks drop another game, Chicago could lock up the NFC’s top seed. That’s not just a feel-good story - that’s home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
It’s a scenario that would’ve sounded like fantasy back in September. But here we are, two games left, and the Bears are in the mix. That’s a testament to how quickly things have come together under Ben Johnson’s leadership and how the team has rallied around a quarterback who no longer has to be Superman - just a smart, poised, playmaker when it counts.
Final Thoughts
Kurt Warner’s insight cuts through the noise - and what he sees is a young quarterback growing into his role because the system around him finally makes sense. The Bears aren’t asking Caleb Williams to win every game by himself.
They’re asking him to win the moments that matter. And right now, that’s working.
If he keeps doing that, Chicago might not just make noise in January - they might be playing at home while they do it.