Caleb Williams Reflects on Year Two, Cairo Santos Finds His Groove, and Packers Face Tough Cap Calls
As the dust settles on another NFL season, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is already looking ahead-clear-eyed and battle-tested. After a season that saw Chicago take meaningful steps forward, Williams reflected on what he’s learned in Year 2 and how that growth will shape his mindset going into 2026.
“You get into these games, you win a bunch, you get into the playoffs and face some really good teams,” Williams said. “You see what that championship level looks like. You figure out what it takes to reach that point-and when you get knocked down, you get back up.”
That’s not just talk. Williams and the Bears showed resilience throughout the season, bouncing back from tough losses and staying competitive in high-pressure spots. The young quarterback emphasized that the team’s never-say-die mentality is something they’ll carry into the offseason and beyond.
“We never stay down as a team. I think we’ve shown that this year,” he said.
“Now it’s about bringing that hunger for all four quarters, every single game. That’s going to be a focus for us.”
It’s a mature perspective from a player who’s clearly learning what it takes to lead at the NFL level-not just with talent, but with toughness and consistency.
Cairo Santos Quietly Dominates in Year 12
While Williams continues his rise, veteran kicker Cairo Santos reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s most dependable legs. Santos knocked through 25 of 30 field goal attempts and was perfect on all 39 PATs. But it’s not just the numbers that impressed Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower-it’s the way Santos responded to early-season doubts.
“The resilience with which he operates is why he’s been doing this for over 12 years,” Hightower said. “You can’t undervalue that guy. And no one here does.”
Santos didn’t just maintain his accuracy-he expanded his toolkit. Over the final eight games, he refined a specialty kickoff that consistently landed around the 20-yard line and led to seven returns being stopped short of the 25. It's a subtle but strategic weapon in the field position game.
“My skill with that type of kick has really been improving,” Santos said. “It’s tough-you almost have to mishit it just right, without it falling short. But I’ve been gaining more control.”
Now, he’s fired up to keep pushing the limits this offseason.
“There’s still a can of worms out there to be discovered,” he said. “How to lean the ball, what kind of steps to take, the angle of approach-those are things I’m excited to work on. During the season, you don’t get much time to experiment.”
At 12 years in, Santos is still evolving, and that’s a big plus for a Bears team that’s building toward something bigger.
Packers Facing Cap Crunch, Tough Decisions Ahead
Up in Green Bay, the offseason has already turned into a numbers game. The Packers are currently $10.68 million over the 2026 salary cap, and that means some tough roster decisions are looming.
Among the biggest names in the conversation is DE Rashan Gary. Despite his talent, he played just 58.3% of defensive snaps this season. A release would save the team nearly $11 million-or $19.5 million if designated as a post-June 1 cut.
Another potential cap casualty? Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins.
Letting him go would free up a massive $20 million in space. Injuries and inconsistency have clouded his future with the team.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs is also on the bubble. Injuries limited his impact, and while releasing him now would only clear $1 million, a post-June 1 designation would open up $9 million.
Then there’s guard Aaron Banks, who could be looking at a contract restructure or pay cut. Cutting him outright would save $5.35 million, while a post-June 1 move would clear $18.35 million.
And don’t overlook running back Josh Jacobs. With no clear successor on the roster, he’s more likely to see a restructure or extension than a release. But his cap hit jumps to $14.6 million in 2026 and $16.6 million in 2027-decisions will have to be made.
Bottom Line
The Bears are heading into the offseason with momentum and a young quarterback who’s learning how to lead. Cairo Santos continues to be a steady presence with a few new tricks up his sleeve. Meanwhile, the Packers are staring down a cap crunch that’s going to force some difficult decisions on key veterans.
It’s that time of year-where rosters get reshaped, futures are decided, and the groundwork is laid for what’s to come. And across the NFC North, the stakes are only getting higher.