Caleb Williams on moment he got comfortable in Ben Johnson's offense

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

1 Bears sleeper to watch at every position on defense in training camp

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

See when Chicago Bears rookies, veterans report to training camp

Ranking the best Bears acquisitions of the offseason

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Ranking 2026 Chicago Bears position groups from best to worst

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Caleb Williams on moment he got comfortable in Ben Johnson's offense

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

1 Bears player to watch at each position on offense in training camp

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp 2026

1 Bears player to watch at each position on offense in training camp

Caleb Williams had a breakout season in his first year with head coach Ben Johnson, who maximized his potential in just one season. While Williams still has plenty of improvement to make, he made huge strides as a passer leading a top-five offense in the league. The stats won't tell the whole story, most notably his 58.1 completion percentage, but Williams showcased incredible potential and established himself as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL with his record seven fourth-quarter comebacks. Williams also set a franchise record for most passing yards in a single season, surpassing Erik Kramer's record from 1995, and he fell just short of becoming the franchise's first 4,000-yard passer. After being sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season, Williams was sacked just 25 times (an NFL best) in Year 2, and he played a big role in those sacks coming down with his Houdini-esque escapability. Williams still needs to improve in the short passing game, but there's no denying he has the potential to be one of the NFL's best.

The Bears know the importance of a good backup quarterback, which is why they signed Tyson Bagent to a two-year, $10 million extension last summer. Bagent didn't see the field much last season, which is exactly what Chicago wants, playing just 14 snaps in relief of Williams. But Bagent has shined during the preseason every summer, and he's garnered some interest from quarterback-needy teams around the league. While general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have made it clear that they don't want to trade Bagent -- given his talent and importance to the team -- they also made it known that they don't want to hold him back. Given the nature of the NFL, and the teams still with quarterback questions, all eyes will be on the Bears and whether a team makes a deal that Poles can't refuse for their QB2.

The Bears signed veteran journeyman Case Keenum to a one-year deal last offseason to serve as a sounding board and an extension of the coaching staff for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Keenum never saw the field in the regular season, which is a good thing, but Chicago did carry him on the 53-man roster given they didn't want to lose him and his importance as a coach for Williams. The Bears valued him as an asset for Williams, which is why they signed him to a two-year extension in free agency. And if Chicago entertains a trade for backup Tyson Bagent, it would help having an experienced veteran like Keenum to fill the QB2 role.

Chicago signed Williams' former college teammate Miller Moss as an undrafted free agent this offseason to serve as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Moss, who was Williams' teammate and successor at USC, played one year with the Trojans -- throwing for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But he was benched in place of Jordan Maiava and transferred to Louisville the following year. Moss appeared in 12 games for the Cardinals, throwing for 2,679 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions to close out his collegiate career. Now, Moss reunites with Williams in Chicago with the opportunity to earn a practice squad spot or a spot elsewhere around the NFL.

Big Question: Will Caleb Williams ink a contract extension after 2026?

Now, this is technically a question for next offseason, but it also completely depends on Williams' performance in 2026. Williams enjoyed a breakout season in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, so expectations are incredibly high heading into Year 2, where Johnson continues to work his magic. Williams has quickly become one of the faces of the NFL after his magical 2025 campaign, where he captivated the football world with his improbable throws, miraculous comebacks and downright explosive playmaking ability. But the question is whether Williams can take another big step in his development and earn a contract extension.

While the Bears can't technically start negotiating a contract with Williams until after he's completed his third season (next offseason), that hasn't stopped general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears from laying the groundwork for a potential contract extension to cement their hopeful franchise QB in place for the long-term. Poles has been encouraged with what he's seen from the former first overall pick in his first two seasons, comparing Williams' progress to a traffic light and hoping that Year 3 cements his status as a franchise quarterback and makes the decision a no-brainer to lock down a contract extension.

Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp preview: Optimism at quarterback