What went down during Thursday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears is a crystal-clear symbol of what HAS to change for them in 2026. This isn’t just a scrimmage; it’s a look into the core of their aspirations, and man, it was a rollercoaster that left everyone scratching their heads by the end.
Early Sparks, Then The Sudden Freeze Out
The practice started with exactly what Bears fans have been dreaming of. Williams was LOCKED IN during team drills, making the offense hum. The third-year quarterback threaded a perfect pass to wide receiver Rome Odunze on a crossing route, showing off that insane arm. He even stepped up under pressure and pulled off a slick shuffle pass to tight end Cole Kmet. We’re talking tight window throws, a wide open touchdown toss to Kmet, the whole nine yards. It looked like the Bears were ready to unleash pure chaos on the league.
But then, like a switch flipped, everything just… stalled. After the halfway mark and a quick break, the starting offense couldn’t get anything going. Williams rolled left, fired a jump pass that nearly got picked off. The very next play? Sacked. Deep balls sailed incomplete. Sure, they pulled off a sweet trick play that ended with Williams hitting Colston Loveland down the left sideline, but the big takeaway from that second half? Caleb was running for his life, trying to escape Titans defenders who were coming “down the middle, right side, left side,” as he put it. Talk about a buzzkill after such a hot start!
Chasing That Elusive Four-Quarter Performance
Williams himself nailed the problem when he said, “We have to be able to start like that throughout the year. And then when we come out from halftime, we have to come out better than I’d say we did today.” And honestly, that quote perfectly sums up their entire 2025 season. Remember how those Bears were “magical” because of their insane late-game heroics? Seven victories after trailing in the final two minutes of regulation, the most since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger! That’s clutch, sure, but it also means they weren’t playing well when the whistle first blew.
Putting four quarters together, playing consistently from start to finish, that’s the absolute next step for these reigning NFC North champions. They’ve got Super Bowl aspirations, and Coach Ben Johnson isn’t holding back with his expectations for Williams. The goal? Get that completion rate closer to 70% from his 58.1% in 2025, all while keeping that explosive playmaking ability intact. Johnson already sees Williams taking “complete control” of the offense, which is huge. But he wants to see Williams level up his coverage recognition, to “process those things faster” and really understand when to skip reads based on defensive looks. It’s all about that mental game, not just the physical flash.
So, the talent is undeniable, the big plays are there, and the leadership is emerging. But if the Bears want to be serious Super Bowl contenders, Caleb Williams needs to find that consistent, four-quarter groove. Keep an eye on those completion numbers and his decision-making because that’s where the real progress will be made.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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