Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams already has earned new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle‘s vote of confidence.

“I think Caleb is hungry for growth,” Doyle told reporters last month in a press conference at Halas Hall. “The sky’s the limit with his athletic ability, his talent, but being around him, just the person himself, I think he really wants to do well. He wants to be great.”

Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was solid during his first NFL season, setting Bears rookie quarterback records for completions (270), passing yards (2,746) and touchdown passes (16). He also had a seven-game stretch without throwing an interception, the longest for any rookie QB since 1950.

Despite those numbers, 2024 was a bumpy season for Williams and his now-former Bears coaches. A 4-2 start evaporated into a 5-12 finish, featuring a 10-game losing streak during which offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were fired.

After that tumultuous 2024, Williams is looking to take a big step forward, and Doyle will be an important part of that effort. He believes Williams has the right attitude to continue to improve in 2025. 

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“He’s been very open to accepting feedback, accepting coaching,” Doyle said. “Really starting to build that relationship, where we are going to be able to build this thing and hit his ceiling.”

One area of improvement for Williams is working from under center. The USC product primarily has worked out of the shotgun throughout his career, but Johnson and Doyle’s offense will call for more traditional snaps.

“It’s another variable that the defense has to prepare for,” Doyle said. “It marries into some of our (play-action) passes and how we want to run our offense. Giving him reps (under center), and seeing if that’s something he can get comfortable in.”

Whether under center or in the shotgun, Bears fans hope Williams continues to improve under Johnson and Doyle’s tutelage.