The Athletic's Dan Pompei believes that new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson will likely empower quarterback Caleb Williams heading into his second year in the NFL after an up-and-down rookie campaign. Johnson gave QB Jared Goff authority with protection adjustments that not all signal-callers have while serving as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, in addition to eliminating plays that Goff didn't like. Johnson was also a big proponent of going for it on fourth down, so the Bears offense should be much more aggressive under Williams in 2025. It's the main reason why Johnson was Chicago's top pick to be their next head coach. Despite plenty of weapons on offense in 2024, Williams was one of the worst downfield passers in his rookie season and had a 62.5% completion percentage to finish as the QB16 in fantasy. The addition of Johnson will surely make Williams a popular breakout candidate in 2025.
Jan 21, 2025 1:29 PM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a cyst removed from his right hand/wrist area, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Last year's No. 1 pick was seen in public wearing a cast, but Rapoport notes that Williams' operation was minor and he is okay. Presumably, he'll have a short recovery team and will be healthy for offseason workouts in a few months. Williams played all 17 games in his rookie campaign, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. As he continues to develop and get more comfortable in the NFL, he should rank as a high-end QB2 with additional upside for the 2025 fantasy football season.
Jan 18, 2025 4:36 PM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a mediocre showing in Week 18's 24-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The rookie QB completed 21 of his 29 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 yards on the ground. He did connect with DJ Moore for a 32-yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter to give the Bears the lead. Williams had an inconsistent first season with the Bears and ended his campaign with more games passing for 150 yards or less than he had with over 250 yards. Overall, Williams threw for 3,541 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 489 on 81 attempts over 17 games. The former USC Trojan could have plenty of room to grow in 2025, depending on who the Bears bring on to be their head coach. Williams will likely enter next season as a mid-to-low-tier QB2 option heading to upcoming 2025 fantasy football drafts.
Jan 6, 2025 8:20 AM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams won't be a viable fantasy option in Week 18's divisional clash against the Green Bay Packers on the road. The rookie put together his worst performance since Week 10 in last weekend's loss to the Seahawks. Williams tossed his first interception in ten outings and broke a streak of five straight games with at least one touchdown pass, totaling 122 passing yards -- his third-fewest of the year. This Sunday, he'll get a slightly stiffer test against a Packers squad, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (16.3) and the sixth-fewest points per game in the NFL (19.6). While the experience will benefit the 23-year-old, he won't be on the fantasy radar in the season's final week. The USC product ranks as RotoBaller's QB16 ahead of this weekend's slate.
Jan 3, 2025 9:02 PM EST
Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown said on Monday that there has been no thought or talk of sitting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Brown expects all the team's healthy veteran players to suit up as well. Williams, the first overall pick back in April, has had a tough rookie season in the NFL, but it hasn't all been his fault -- the Bears fired their head coach and offensive coordinator midseason. The 23-year-old from USC has taken a league-high 67 sacks and has looked like a rookie for most of the year. There's no denying his playmaking abilities and elite arm strength, but it hasn't been the year many expect for Williams, who has thrown for 3,393 yards, 19 TDs and six picks in 16 starts. If the Packers rest some of their starters, Williams could end up having a decent final game in 2024.
Dec 30, 2024 8:00 PM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams put up a dud in Thursday night's 6-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. The rookie quarterback completed 16 of his 28 passes for 122 yards and an interception, adding 37 yards rushing on his five carries. Williams has had a roller coaster of a first season in the NFL and has struggled to consistently produce, as Week 17 marked his seventh game with zero touchdowns. The former USC Trojan hopes to end his rookie campaign on a high note in Week 18 as his Bears will travel to play the Green Bay Packers.
Dec 26, 2024 11:16 PM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is coming off a high-scoring fantasy performance and will look to remain a fringe QB1 option heading into Thursday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. Williams benefitted from some garbage-time production on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, finishing Week 16 with 334 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one turnover, as well as 34 rushing yards. The No. 1 overall pick has boasted impressive decision-making without a single interception since Week 6, but his ball security has started to come into question as he has a lost fumble in each of his last three games. Nevertheless, Williams ranks just outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks this season, and he could be due for another strong showing in this week's potential shootout against a mid-tier Seahawks defense. Seattle has allowed the 11th-most passing touchdowns and 14th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, but the sixth-fewest rushing yards.
Dec 24, 2024 12:27 AM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 18-of-31 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown in Monday night's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He added three yards on four carries and coughed up a fumble. The rookie QB looked like he was turning a corner for a few weeks but had another tough go against a stout Vikings defense. He failed to reach 200 passing yards for the second straight contest and couldn't get anything going in Week 15 despite a strong outing (340/2) in his last meeting with Minnesota. On the bright side, Williams has not tossed an interception since returning from the team's bye in Week 7 and recorded at least one touchdown for the fourth-straight game. The 23-year-old will get a Detroit Lions defense in Week 16 that is severely depleted due to injury, making it less scary of a test than it might have been earlier in the season. Additionally, he had one of his better performances against them back in Week 13.
Dec 17, 2024 12:47 AM EST
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been a frustrating player to roster this season, but he appears to be turning a corner. Over his last three games, Williams has seven touchdowns without any interceptions. The includes a 340-yard performance against the same Minnesota Vikings that he's playing in Week 15. The rookie signal-caller is finally settling in and should be fine option for fantasy managers this weekend. The Bears have been playing from behind quite often lately, which has forced Williams to pass more frequently. Fantasy managers should consider Williams a low-end QB1 for Week 15.
Dec 14, 2024 6:18 PM EST
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough challenge against the formidable San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Despite the problematic matchup, Williams showed resilience despite his uneven performance. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, with his second-half play improving after a rough start. While he struggled early, Williams found his rhythm, leading the Bears' offense to a couple of touchdown drives during the game's later stretches. He added 27 rushing yards on the ground, finishing as the second-leading rusher for the Bears. His touchdown passes were both to fellow rookie Rome Odunze, signaling a growing connection between the two. Williams and the Bears will look to bounce back next Monday night when they face the Minnesota Vikings in a crucial rematch.
Dec 9, 2024 4:04 AM EST
This Sunday, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams presents a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option as he faces off against the San Francisco 49ers. Williams will look to build on his strong performance from Week 13, where he completed 20 of 39 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Detroit Lions. However, this week presents a far more formidable challenge. The 49ers rank 4th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, limiting opponents to just 190 yards per game. Adding to Williams' concerns are the injuries to two of his top playmakers, D'Andre Swift (quadriceps) and DJ Moore (quadriceps), both of whom are listed as questionable. While both players practiced on a limited basis Friday, their availability for Sunday remains uncertain. If Swift and Moore can suit up, Williams could be a borderline QB1 for Week 14. However, without them, it's hard to feel confident starting him in most fantasy leagues.
Dec 7, 2024 5:54 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went 20-for-39 with 256 yards and three scores in his loss to the Detroit Lions. After throwing for just 34 yards and no scores in the first half, the USC product flipped the script and fell just short of completing a comeback. He tallied his first score on a 31-yard strike to Keenan Allen in the third quarter. He then found Allen again on a nine-yard pass and wide receiver DJ Moore on a 31-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Williams also added 39 yards on the ground. Since Week 11, Williams has begun to turn the corner. He has thrown for at least 200+ yards in each game during this span and has tallied at least two passing scores in each of his past two. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a low-end QB1 heading into a Week 14 tilt against the San Francisco 49ers.
Nov 28, 2024 4:10 PM EST
This Thursday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams presents a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option as he faces the Detroit Lions. After a strong performance in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, Williams will look to build on that momentum. While the Lions defense ranks second in points allowed, they've been vulnerable against the pass, ranking 25th in pass yards allowed. Williams has looked increasingly comfortable in recent weeks, especially since the Bears switched offensive coordinators, which has sparked the offense. Given the Lions' potent offense, the Bears will likely be forced into a pass-heavy game script, giving Williams plenty of opportunities to accumulate fantasy points. While he remains a risky start, his high upside makes him a strong option if you're looking for a quarterback who can deliver a big performance.
Nov 27, 2024 3:00 PM EST
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough test against the Minnesota Vikings in their Week 12 OT loss. Despite the challenging matchup, Williams showcased his potential in a standout performance. He completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating impressive accuracy and poise under pressure. Williams also added 33 rushing yards, leading the Bears' ground game. One of his most memorable plays came when he rolled out and delivered a perfect sideline pass to D'Andre Swift, a throw that only a handful of quarterbacks can make. Williams displayed excellent field awareness and was able to distribute the ball effectively to all his playmakers. With the Bears now shifting their focus to the NFC-leading Detroit Lions, they'll have a quick turnaround, facing off on Thanksgiving Thursday in a critical divisional matchup.
Nov 25, 2024 11:08 AM EST
This Sunday, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams presents a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option as he faces the Minnesota Vikings. After a solid performance in Week 11 against Green Bay, Williams completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards and added 70 rushing yards; he's looking to build on his momentum. Williams demonstrated improved poise in that game, getting the ball out quicker and evading pressure thanks to a more efficient scheme under the new offensive coordinator. This quicker release helped keep Williams upright against a Packers defense that's no slouch. However, Williams faces a much tougher test in Week 12 against a Vikings defense that blitzes at the second-highest rate in the league and has been tough on quarterbacks all season. Minnesota ranks 4th in points allowed per game and 5th in EPA per pass, making this a difficult matchup for any passer. If you're stuck with a quarterback on a bye or dealing with injuries, Williams could be a potential desperation play, but Minnesota's aggressive defense may cap his ceiling. In one-quarterback leagues, exploring other options is wise unless you're in a deeper format or need a true boom-or-bust gamble.
Nov 23, 2024 5:31 AM EST
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough test against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. While Williams showed flashes of his potential, it was still a mixed performance. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards but, once again, failed to find the end zone, extending his streak without a passing touchdown. On a positive note, Williams added 70 rushing yards his highest total of the season showing off his mobility and ability to make plays with his legs. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seemed to spark a slight resurgence in the Bears' offense. However, despite Williams' improvements, his inability to score touchdowns keeps him relegated to QB2 in fantasy leagues. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. Minnesota's defense, led by Brian Flores, will present another significant challenge for the young quarterback.
Nov 18, 2024 5:22 AM EST
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams presents a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option as he prepares to take on the Green Bay Packers. After a tough outing in Week 10 against the New England Patriots, where Williams completed just 16 of 30 passes for a meager 120 yards and failed to throw any touchdowns, he's looking to redeem himself and showcase his potential. Adding to the drama, the Bears made a significant move this week by firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was just nine games into his tenure with the rookie quarterback. Waldron's struggles to establish an effective offensive game plan prompted the change, and now the Bears are hoping a new direction will help unlock Williams' playmaking ability. The team promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to replace Waldron, which signals a shift in offensive philosophy. However, it's important to note that the Bears' offensive line is still banged up and likely won't be at full strength on Sunday, following a dismal performance where they allowed nine sacks in their previous game. Given the uncertainty surrounding the offense and the ongoing issues with the offensive line, starting Williams this week carries significant risk. Proceed with caution, especially in leagues where you need a more reliable QB option.
Nov 16, 2024 5:17 AM EST
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated on Thursday that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will start on Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packers in Week 11. Since their bye in Week 7, the Bears have lost three straight games and have not scored a touchdown in the last two games. Williams, the first overall pick back in April, has looked pretty terrible since the bye, completing 50.5% of his pass attempts and taking a whopping 18 sacks. The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron earlier this week, but they will move forward with Williams as their starter under center -- the alternative is backup Tyson Bagent. The 22-year-old Williams can't be much worse in Week 11 against the Packers as he's been the last three weeks, but fantasy managers in superflex leagues shouldn't be expecting a whole lot as a low-end QB2 in fantasy.
Nov 14, 2024 12:02 PM EST
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said on Monday that the team isn't benching rookie quarterback Caleb Williams following another disappointing loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10 on Sunday. "Caleb is our starter," Eberflus said. The first overall pick was sacked nine times and went 16-for-30 for 120 yards in the 19-3 loss on Sunday. Since the team's bye in Week 7, the Bears' offense has managed just one touchdown (in Week 8), and Williams has been sacked 18 times behind a banged-up and ineffective offensive line. While the 22-year-old will remain the starter, Chicago is considering taking play-calling duties away from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron heading into a Week 11 divisional clash against the Green Bay Packers. It could be more tough sledding for Williams against a Packers defense that has been stingy against opposing QBs of late.
Nov 11, 2024 1:27 PM EST
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough test against the New England Patriots in Week 10. Despite showing flashes of potential, Williams struggled in the face of relentless pressure from the Patriots' defense. He completed 16 of 30 passes for a modest 120 yards and failed to find the end zone, contributing zero passing touchdowns to the scoreboard. To make matters worse, Williams was sacked an astounding nine times, as the Bears' offensive line already banged up failed to provide consistent protection. While Williams did lead one scoring drive, the Bears offense was primarily stagnant, punting on eight of their ten possessions and turning the ball over on downs twice. Heading into Week 11, Williams and the Bears offense will look to bounce back against a well-rested Green Bay Packers defense, which will be coming off their bye week and is sure to be prepared for the challenge.
Nov 11, 2024 3:14 AM EST
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