Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is entering his second season with the franchise. Expectations were already sky-high for the former USC standout—as they are for any top draft pick—but especially so for a quarterback expected to turn around a struggling organization. With his rookie season behind him and most of the early jitters presumably out of the way, Williams now has the opportunity to settle in and focus on the position he was drafted to lead.

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In his first year, Williams threw for 3,541 yards (17th in the NFL), 20 touchdowns (15th), and just 6 interceptions. However, his QBR of 46.7 ranked 28th in the league, indicating there’s still room for growth in overall efficiency and consistency.

This offseason, the Bears’ front office made it clear they’re fully committed to building around their young quarterback. Former Lions offensive coordinator and offensive strategist David Johnson has taken over as head coach. To bolster the offensive line, Chicago added veterans Joe Thuney (LG), Drew Dalman (C), and Jonah Jackson (RG), aiming to give Williams the protection he lacked in year one. On the offensive weapons front, the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second, providing Williams with two explosive targets to stretch the field and elevate the passing game.

From a betting perspective, the Bears’ over/under win total is set at 8.5, with the over currently listed at +105 on DraftKings—suggesting some optimism from oddsmakers. However, they still have the fourth-longest odds to win the NFC North at +425. There’s hope in the new leadership on the sidelines and new playmakers on the field, but that hope comes with uncertainty. If the offensive line fails to show significant improvement, Chicago could be in for another challenging season. Success in 2025 will depend largely on how quickly Williams and Coach Johnson can develop chemistry and get this revamped offense firing on all cylinders.