Caleb Williams Extension? Here’s Why Those Talks Are Premature (For Now)
At the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona last week, Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles hinted that he and Matt Feinstein (cap guru) are already working on basic frameworks and planning a potential extension for QB Caleb Williams.
While Caleb isn’t eligible for an extension until after the 2026 season, the Bears can never start planning too early. After all, they have to decide how they’ll attack the roster the rest of this offseason, extensions for other players (i.e. RT Darnell Wright) and future seasons. They need to know what they’re working with, both with a Williams extension on the books and off the books.
That said, I tweeted this in response:
For some context, I strongly believe NFL teams get bullied into extending quarterbacks who aren’t actual needle-movers because of either a) fear of the unknown, or b) fan pressure.
Quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa, who never once in his life demonstrated franchise QB capability, signed a major extension in Miami a couple years ago and it torpedoed their current state. He’s now trying to rescue his career on a minor deal in Atlanta.
Jalen Hurts – another limited QB (albeit Super Bowl winner thanks to an elite roster) – not only signed a major extension but has Philadelphia Eagles fans frothing at the mouth to defend him. Yet, he’s another guy who is starting to get the Carson Wentz treatment from the team.
And like those guys, there are many others who have received similar extensions. (Daniel Jones is suddenly commanding ridiculous money… why?)
I want to be clear: Caleb Williams is NOT those guys. He has already achieved ceilings higher than they’ll ever reach AND has so much more room to grow. His pairing with Ben Johnson is one of the highest-potential pairings the league has ever seen. But that’s just it — it’s still potential.
Before the Bears pay him, they need to see it materialize. Like I said in my tweet, I think he has every tool in the box and his growth in the 2H of the season was incredible. The Bears’ offense was explosive and dangerous WITHOUT hitting so many of the gimmes that good offenses usually hit.
Ben Johnson said at the owners meetings that he counted at least 40 throws (not including drops or throwaways) that he wanted Caleb to have back just to get his completion percentage to 65%. If he completes those 40, on an average of ~15 yards per completion, that’s 600 additional yards of offense over the course of the season. Six hundred yards.
Just imagine. I’m certainly excited to see Caleb take that next step. And when he does, THEN back up the Brink’s truck.