Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears quarterback, is under fire for his declining passing accuracy. In 2024, he completed 62.5% of his passes, but that number dropped to 58.1% in 2025.
What happened?
The problem started in his first NFL game in 2024, when Williams had a tough start, completing only 14 of his 29 passes for 92 yards against the Tennessee Titans.
Why it matters for Caleb Williams
Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly said, "The fact that Caleb Williams is becoming less and less accurate is proving his brand of football is not sustainable in the NFL." Kelly's assessment is based on Williams' dip in passing percentage each year.
What comes next?
Williams knows he needs to improve his accuracy, saying, "Obviously, I want to get that up, get the completion percentage up." Head coach Ben Johnson made ball placement a major focus during offseason practices.
The Bears' mandatory minicamp showed signs of improvement for Williams, as he led a 94-yard touchdown drive in less than a minute without any timeouts. He finished it with a touchdown pass to rookie running back Kyle Monangai.
Earlier in practice, Williams threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. Johnson praised Williams for staying calm under pressure and making good decisions.
Williams' performances suggest he is improving, but it is still too early to know if the improvement will continue. Fans will have to wait and see how he performs during the 2026 season.
The 2025 playoffs saw Williams' completion percentage drop to 52.2%. He had six games where he completed only 55% or fewer of his passes.
Williams set a record for franchise single-season passing yards with 3,942 yards. He helped the Bears earn their first playoff win since 2010.
The Bears won the NFC North title with Williams as their quarterback. He made a solid name for himself in the NFL.
The criticism Williams faces is not unwarranted, given his declining passing accuracy. However, he is working to improve, and his performances in the offseason practices are a positive sign.
The 2026 season will be crucial for Williams to prove his critics wrong. He needs to maintain a high level of performance and improve his passing accuracy to succeed in the NFL.
Williams' improvement will depend on his ability to stay calm under pressure and make good decisions. He has shown signs of improvement, but it is still early to tell if he will be able to sustain it throughout the season.