How do Williams, Bears’ quarterbacks grade out this season?

After the Bears reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and won their first NFC North title since 2018, it’s time to evaluate how each position group did over the past season and start looking toward the offseason.

Here’s a look at the quarterback room.

Quarterback

Returning players: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent

Free agent: Case Keenum

Looking back: A major question heading into this season was whether Williams could grow under Johnson’s guidance. He answered that pretty clearly with one of the best seasons by a Bears quarterback in franchise history.

It didn’t look perfect at times, especially at the beginning of the season. Williams, like the rest of the offense, needed time to get used to Johnson’s offense and looked disjointed at times. Some of those struggles continued later in the season as the Bears couldn’t get in the end zone in the first half of games.

Even with the slow start, Williams etched his names into the Bears’ record books by throwing for 3,942 yards, just short of becoming the team’s first 4,000-yard passer.

Williams ranked seventh in the NFL in passing yards and sixth with 27 touchdowns. He also tied for eighth in fewest interceptions with 12 among quarterbacks who played at least 50% of the snaps this season.

Williams proved he could be the reason why the Bears win games. Williams was the catalyst in all seven comeback wins and made incredible throws in the process.

“I think this year, I realized how athletic he is,” Poles said. “Like, I knew he was a good athlete. He’s a little awkward in his movements, but like, it’s unique in the way that he can get out of things and move his body. So, he’ll continue to get better and lean into the traits that he has.”

Most importantly, Williams played in every game this season. Bagent and Keenum weren’t called into action this year as Williams accomplished the feat for a second straight season, impressive for a player who takes tough hits with his mobile play style.

What’s next: The Bears’ quarterback room won’t get much, if any attention by fans this offseason.

Bagent signed a two-year contract extension during training camp and will be the team’s backup quarterback through at least the 2027 season. He showed during the preseason he understands Johnson’s offense and could effectively fill in if Williams can’t play.

Poles and Johnson need to decide whether they want to bring back Keenum. They used a roster spot for a third quarterback this season as Keenum provided valuable intel to Williams as a veteran quarterback. The Bears might find it valuable to bring him back on a cheaper salary to fill that same role again.

Other than that, the primary focus in the quarterback room will be Williams continuing to progress with a year in Johnson’s offense under his belt and a full offseason ahead. Johnson told Williams to take time away from football to fully recharge from a long season.

But Williams will soon get back to work fixing the issues that popped up throughout the year. There were times Williams missed on throws and didn’t find an open receiver as he went through his progression. Williams said he’ll focus on his footwork and accuracy over the coming months to hit on some of those misses.