LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams anticipated that the reality of his rookie season concluding would set in once he packed up his car for the ride home.
However, he felt a little relief as his Chicago Bears ended a lengthy 10-game losing streak with a rare victory against Green Bay just the day before.
With the team finishing last in the NFC North at a 5-12 record, the focus now shifts to finding a new head coach.
“Getting that win was big at least for me,” Williams expressed on Monday. “You never know who will be here or how long someone will stay. Ending the season with a win was significant for me on a personal level.”
Now, Williams and the Bears must navigate the uncertainty surrounding who will coach the team in the upcoming season.
Prominent names on the Bears’ coaching wish list include Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Washington’s offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. There is also interest in Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who stepped in after Matt Eberflus was dismissed, is expected to interview for the role as well.
The Bears aim to attract candidates by highlighting the opportunity to cultivate Williams into a franchise quarterback, as he displayed both promise and areas needing improvement during his rookie campaign. The former Southern California star accumulated 3,541 passing yards, recorded 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions; however, he was sacked 68 times, setting a franchise record and leading the NFL in that regard.
The Bears will also underscore their favorable salary-cap situation and draft picks, along with the prospect of moving to a new stadium, whether it be in the downtown area or on property they own in Arlington Heights.
High hopes had initially surrounded the Bears after an active offseason that included selecting Williams with the number one overall draft pick. They also traded for six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and selected receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick, establishing what was anticipated to be a dynamic receiving corps alongside returnee DJ Moore.
In addition, they signed running back D’Andre Swift and veteran tight end Gerald Everett to enhance their roster, aiming to create a formidable tight end duo along with Cole Kmet.
However, despite these roster upgrades, the Bears ranked last in the league for offensive yardage with an average of only 283.5 yards and shared the 28th spot for scoring efficiency. This underwhelming performance contributed to a defensive unit that faltered as the season progressed, ultimately failing to deliver on the promise showcased during their appearance on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
The competition in the division remains fierce, with Detroit, Minnesota, and Green Bay each securing 11 or more wins this season, making it a challenging endeavor for the Bears to climb the rankings.
Regarding his own ambitions, Brown is set to present his vision for the team during the interview process. He played multiple roles this past season, starting as the passing game coordinator, moving to offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron’s firing, and ultimately taking over as head coach following Eberflus’ dismissal.
Brown stated that if appointed, the offensive strategy would undergo significant changes in Williams’ second year, insisting that the Bears are closer to turning things around than outsiders may perceive.
“We’re all here for football, and our performance is evaluated by how well we play. But everyone in the organization must have the mindset that their role is crucial, and I need to strive for excellence every day for everything to operate effectively,” Brown remarked.
Williams has also praised Johnson’s offensive acumen. “It’s been exciting to observe. During our game, I absorbed what was happening and learned quite a bit. It was interesting to see how they integrated new strategies throughout the match,” he reflected.
Topping the Bears’ priority list is undoubtedly fortifying their offensive line, a task they will undertake once the head coaching situation is settled. They face significant needs at both guard positions and center, and could benefit from adding one or two more tackles, while they appear secure at right tackle with their first-round draft choice, Darnell Wright from the 2023 draft.
Previously, the Bears recorded 66 sacks allowed in 2004 while utilizing four different quarterbacks during that season, marking a legacy they’d prefer to avoid repeating.
In addition to the coaching search, the Bears are preparing for considerable roster decisions, with 23 players heading into free agency. Fortunately, the team’s situation is not as pressing as it was a year ago, especially in contrast to cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s expiring contract situation last offseason.
Among their unrestricted free agents are Allen and guard Teven Jenkins. Allen, obtained from the Los Angeles Chargers last March, had an impressive season with 70 receptions, 744 yards, and seven touchdowns. He previously recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in five out of seven seasons.
Moreover, Jenkins, a second-round selection in 2021, has been an efficient blocker for the Bears, though injuries have limited him to a maximum of 14 games in any season to date.
He remains undecided on his future with the team, stating, “It’s a toss-up.”
