LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams isn’t dwelling on the past. Even when referring to last Sunday’s performance that earned the Bears quarterback NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
“He came in [Wednesday] completely unfazed by it,” coach Ben Johnson said. “I tried to recognize him in front of the group, and he wasn’t having it. He was very stoic. He’s already onto the next game. He knows he needs to have an even better performance here this week to give us the best chance to win.”
Williams’ growth in Ben Johnson’s offense requires no acknowledgment. The proof is in the pudding.
“He’s growing every week,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said Thursday. “That expectation doesn’t really stop. He’s getting coached just as hard this week as he was last week when the outside noise may have been a little bit louder in a negative way. The standard is the same, the process is the same. We still continue to expect him to prepare for this week and go out, play well on Sunday and have confidence to be able to go out and rip it and have confidence in the plan.”
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Coaching Williams hard is just another piece to the puzzle. After all, a lack of accountability was a significant part of the last staff’s downfall.
“We’re not called to be here to be friends or be cheerleaders,” Johnson said Friday. We’re here to push, to challenge, to support. There’s a number of things the best coaches in my life have really imprinted on me that I picked up – whether I was a player or as a fellow coach, just taking it from other guys – I really think that’s important and it’s not what the player wants to hear all the time. Sometimes it’s what he needs to hear for us as a team to succeed, but for him as an individual to get a little bit better.
“And you can’t shy away from that. I think at this level, the best coaches I’ve been around, and I think it’s an art, they’re the demanding ones that there’s a way, or there’s a vision for how a play needs to go, or there’s a vision for how a fundamental needs to be executed. And you really – you don’t waver from that belief and you make sure we’re getting it right.”
Let’s take a look at Week 4:
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 2-1
There are reasons to believe that some of the good things that the Bears did on both sides of the ball against the Cowboys will carry over in Las Vegas. That starts with what quarterback Caleb Williams did.
If the Bears’ run game just slightly improves against the Raiders, then more should open for Williams, too. The Raiders defense is good on third down and in the red zone but I question if they have the personnel to keep up with what the Bears present offensively. It’s also safe to trust Ben Johnson’s plan for Maxx Crosby.
Bears 30, Raiders 20
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 2-1
I was really impressed with how the Bears’ offense looked against Matt Eberflus’ Cowboys defense last week. The injury report worries me a bit this week. Getting Kyler Gordon back would be a really nice boost for the defense.
But Theo Benedet making his first career start against Maxx Crosby is a potentially troublesome matchup for the Bears. On the other side of the ball, it’ll be a huge test for Andrew Billings, who’s likely to see more run this week with Grady Jarrett sidelined with a knee injury.
Seems like a good opportunity for Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty to break 100 yards on the ground in a game for the first time in his young career.
Raiders 34, Bears 28
Mark Carman
2025 record: 2-1
I watched the Raiders vs. Commanders game. It wasn’t impressive. Ashton Jeanty has yet to hit his stride. Brock Bowers is not 100 percent. The Bears are riding high.
The right tackle health concerns are real. Looks like Theo Benedet is going to get his chance. Good luck, Canadian Mostly-Bald Eagle. Maxx Crosby is foaming at the mouth thinking of you. It does feel like a winnable game for the Bears. Everyone is picking the Bears. Feels like a trap — that I am going to fall into. Trust in Ben.
Bears 26, Raiders 23
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 1-2
There will certainly be some sort of correction to last week, but the Raiders’ defense still presents a great opportunity for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams to keep their offensive momentum going. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders are struggling to run the ball and protect Geno Smith, but I also don’t think the Bears will be able to repeat their four-takeaway performance from last week. Both of these special teams units have been shaky. Don’t be surprised if the third phase decides the game.
Bears 27, Raiders 20
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 1-2
Bears win on a game-winning field goal, and all my meatball dreams of being in the stands come true. After the win, you can find me floating in the Bellagio Fountain.
Bears 28, Raiders 27
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 1-2
The Bears find their way back to .500 ahead of the bye week. I like Caleb Williams to do some damage with his legs this week to avoid pressure from Maxx Crosby. If DJ Moore gets matched up against Kyu Blu Kelly, look for the Bears to exploit that matchup and Blue Kelly’s 132.6 passer rating allowed.
Does Colston Loveland play? If so, I like him to score his first career touchdown against a Raiders team that was top-five in yards and touchdowns allowed to opposing tight ends last year. The Bears’ season gets back on track.
Bears 27, Raiders 20
