Bears QB Caleb Williams shines in two-minute drill during minicamp practice

The Chicago Bears haven’t had a long-term answer at quarterback in decades. Since the days of Sid Luckman and the 1985 Super Bowl team led by Jim McMahon, the position has been a carousel of brief promise followed by eventual disappointment. But that pattern may be changing. With the arrival of Caleb Williams — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — the franchise, its fans, and the city of Chicago are beginning to believe again.

And if what we saw during the Bears’ recent mandatory minicamp is any indication, there’s legitimate reason for hope.

The Setting: Day 2 of Minicamp, Halas Hall

On a warm June afternoon at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, the Bears wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp with a simulated two-minute drill. The scenario was straightforward: one timeout, ball at their own 20-yard line, down by three points, and less than 90 seconds on the clock. It was the kind of moment that demands calm, composure, decisiveness, and leadership — qualities that often take years for rookie quarterbacks to develop. But Caleb Williams showed he may already possess them.

Fans weren’t allowed at the minicamp, but reporters, coaches, and players alike came away impressed — some even stunned — by the poise and precision Williams displayed.

The Drive: Composure Under Pressure

With the whistle blowing to start the two-minute drill, Williams jogged into the huddle with the confidence of a seasoned vet, not a rookie just weeks removed from college ball. His body language, presence, and vocal command immediately set the tone.

On first down, Williams fired a dart to DJ Moore on the sideline for a nine-yard gain. Moore, the Bears’ top receiver, toe-tapped out of bounds to stop the clock. It wasn’t flashy — just smart football. The connection between the two looked seamless, the result of the countless hours they’ve spent building chemistry during the offseason.

Second down saw Williams hit rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze — the Bears’ other first-round pick — on a quick slant for a first down. The throw was tight, the timing impeccable. As the offense hustled to the line, it became clear that Williams was in full control of the moment.

The next sequence might have been the most telling: a broken play where pressure flushed Williams out of the pocket. Many rookies panic in those situations — forcing throws, taking sacks, or running into trouble. Williams, however, kept his eyes downfield and found running back Roschon Johnson releasing late into the flat. A quick flick of the wrist and a 12-yard gain followed. First down. The crowd of reporters nodded in collective approval.

The Decision-Making: Fast, Accurate, and Mature

A hallmark of Williams’ college tape at USC was his ability to make decisions on the fly. Whether under duress or with a clean pocket, he routinely made the right read — and did it quickly. That skill has translated well into the NFL so far.

On third-and-five from the opposing 43-yard line with the clock ticking under 30 seconds, Williams made perhaps the most impressive play of the drive. After scanning his first two reads and seeing tight coverage, he quickly turned to his third option — rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders — and delivered a perfectly placed pass over the linebacker’s head for a gain of 14 yards. The throw was confident, but what made it stand out was the calm footwork and smart progression read.

“It’s rare to see a rookie go through three reads in under three seconds with the game on the line,” said offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. “That’s stuff we usually don’t coach until later in Year 1 or even Year 2. But Caleb’s picking it up faster than we anticipated.”

The Finish: Cool Execution, Clutch Result

With 11 seconds remaining and the Bears just outside field goal range, Williams made one last throw — a quick out to Moore for seven yards, who once again smartly stepped out of bounds. That put the ball at the 28-yard line — well within range for veteran kicker Cairo Santos.

Santos nailed the 45-yard field goal in stride, ending the drill in what head coach Matt Eberflus called “the most complete situational rep we’ve seen all camp.”

But the score was less important than what led up to it: a rookie quarterback taking charge, making the right reads, protecting the football, and executing in crunch time.

Reactions from Coaches and Teammates

Head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t hide his enthusiasm after practice.

“We talk about those ‘it’ moments,” Eberflus told reporters. “Where you can feel a guy rising to the occasion, leading the group, not just performing physically but emotionally and mentally. That’s what Caleb did today. It wasn’t perfect, but it was confident. It was composed. And it’s everything you want to see from your franchise quarterback.”

DJ Moore, now entering his third season with the Bears, echoed those sentiments.

“I’ve played with a lot of quarterbacks, and Caleb’s confidence is different. He’s not cocky — he just knows what he’s doing, even when it breaks down. Today’s two-minute drill showed that he’s got the goods. We all felt it.”

Odunze, asked about their growing chemistry, said, “It’s easy to work with a guy who throws a catchable ball and communicates well. Caleb’s already one of the leaders in the locker room, and it’s only June.”

What It Means for the Bears’ Future

It’s only minicamp. It’s not live contact. And it certainly isn’t Soldier Field in Week 1. But drills like this give a window into a quarterback’s ability to handle situational football. These are the reps where coaching staffs evaluate more than just arm strength or footwork. They look for leadership, awareness, and decision-making.

Caleb Williams checking all those boxes this early in the offseason is a massive step forward for a franchise desperate for stability at the position.

The Bears, bolstered by an improved offensive line, a promising receiver corps featuring Moore, Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet, and a revamped offensive scheme under Waldron, are quietly assembling the infrastructure needed to support a young star.

If Williams continues to progress — learning protections, speeding up his reads, adjusting to disguised coverages — the Bears may finally have their answer at quarterback.

Cautious Optimism, But Real Excitement

To temper expectations is to be fair. Plenty of rookies have had great spring practices only to struggle once real games begin. Pads change everything. Defensive disguises multiply. The pressure intensifies.

Still, Williams’ background — the Heisman Trophy, the elite college production, the mobility, the high football IQ — all make him more than just another promising name. He’s widely seen by scouts as the most polished quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.

And now, he’s putting that polish on display in Chicago.

The buzz coming out of Halas Hall after the two-minute drill was unmistakable. Coaches smiled. Teammates patted Williams on the helmet. Reporters jotted notes with a sense of cautious optimism.

It wasn’t a game-winning drive in January. But for June, it was a big deal.

If Caleb Williams continues to build on moments like these, the Bears may finally have a player worthy of leading them into a new era — not just of relevance, but of consistent success.

And for a franchise that’s waited far too long, that two-minute drill might have been the first chapter in a story Chicago has been waiting to tell for decades.