NFL Insider Has High Expectations for Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams’ Rookie Season

At least one top NFL insider believes the windy city’s future is now.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano has a bullish call that should excite Bears fans everywhere; the pieces are in place for Chicago to make a return to the NFL Playoffs during Williams’ rookie season.

“Veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, rookie receiver Rome Odunze, running back signing D’Andre Swift, tight end Cole Kmet and all of the offensive linemen the Bears have drafted and developed in the past few years form a strong supporting cast that should ease Williams’ transition to the league,” Graziano writes for ESPN. “Add in a defense that was one of the best in the league in limiting opponent scoring over the second half of last season, and the Bears have a legitimate reason to think Williams can lead his team to the playoffs as a rookie — the way C.J. Stroud did in Houston in 2023. It won’t be easy in a tough-looking NFC North, but Williams isn’t short on ability or confidence.”

Setting Expectations for Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

General manager Ryan Poles and the Bears have certainly orchestrated a soft landing for Williams, who inherits an explosive supporting cast.

After selecting Odunze, there’s a case to be made that the Bears have the most dynamic receiving corps in the league, and Williams also has the safety blanket of a veteran back capable of contributing in the passing game, in D’Andre Swift.

The NFC North is loaded, with both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions entering the 2024 season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and the Vikings are reloading with plenty of young talent in place.

However, with Williams at the helm, the Bears have the pieces in place to make a legitimate run from worst to at least the playoffs in a wide-open NFC.