Photo by All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Caleb Williams’ dime for Bears’ first TD throw hints at how great Chicago’s offense can be

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams opened the 2026 campaign facing heightened anticipation following an exceptional second year in the NFL. During the 2025 season, the USC product established a new franchise record by accumulating 3,942 aerial yards, tallying 27 passing scores alongside only seven picks to guide his squad to a divisional crown and a postseason victory.

Entering the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Williams stood a single contest away from matching Sid Luckman's club mark of eight consecutive outings with a touchdown pass.

Ahead of kicking off his second year working alongside head coach Ben Johnson, Williams expressed rising mastery of the playbook, while offensive coordinator Press Taylor noted the signal-caller's distinct poise in tight contests. The young passer also gathered insights from Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees prior to facing Carolina, while veteran tight end Cole Kmet publicly voiced strong confidence in his quarterback and the franchise.