Rob Gronkowski Makes Stunning Claim About Bears’ 2026 Ceiling

The Bears play the toughest schedule in the 2026 NFL season which could prevent the NFC club from replicating the heroics of the 2025 season.

Rob Gronkowski Makes Stunning Claim About Bears’ 2026 Ceiling

Caleb Williams and Rob Gronkowski inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Caleb Williams is expected to take a leap in his third year with the Chicago Bears. Rob Gronkowski is not ready to be part of the bandwagon just yet. The former NFL tight end wants to see Williams replicate his last season’s wonders, which is easier said than done.

Speaking to Kay Adams on her show, Up & Adams, Gronkowski cautioned the Bears fans to avoid keeping too many expectations of their team. He said:

No one is really on board that the Bears are absolutely dominant. They had last season, but it was a magical season. Magical seasons don’t happen two years in a row like that.

Last year, the Bears appointed Ben Johnson as their head coach. Johnson, who helped Jared Goff find his mojo in Detroit, pulled Williams back up from the abyss. Williams led the league with a staggering six regular-season fourth-quarter comeback game-winning drives, including a famous playoff victory over rivals the Green Bay Packers, ending their fifteen-year wait for a postseason victory.

Williams ended 2025 with 330 completions for 3942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. The only negative in Williams’ play was his 58.1% completion percentage, among the lowest among starting quarterbacks.

Gronkowski wants Williams to take the next step in his development. It’s the only way they can stay competitive in a loaded NFC North. Hail Marys will not save them every time. He added:

It’s not throwing the ball out there after running 30 yards back and hoping a miracle happens and someone comes down with it. I mean, it was great football. To watch it was a lot of fun. But to have that consistency, you have to be a drill sergeant in the fourth quarter.

The Bears start the season against the Carolina Panthers in Carolina. The games will get tougher as the season progresses.

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Caleb Williams reacted to being selected as team captain

Before the big opening day clash against the Panthers, the Bears announced that Caleb Williams will be one of the captains. This is the third straight year he has been selected as captain.

Rob Gronkowski Makes Stunning Claim About Bears' 2026 Ceiling
Caleb Williams (Image via IMAGO)

Reporters asked the 24-year-old about his thoughts on his increased leadership role. Williams said via CHGO Bears on Twitter:

It’s an honor. I am very grateful. It’s the way we do it… Our teammates select me and select us and so it’s like I said it’s an honor. And I don’t take it lightly.

Besides Williams, the Bears have chosen veteran left guard Joe Thuney as the second captain on offense. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker TJ Edwards are the captains on defense, with kicker Cairo Santos representing special teams.

Ben Johnson has immense expectations for this Bears offense. He wants them not just to win games, but to dominate them. He wants blowouts every time they take the field in 2026. Williams is on board with his bosses’ vision. But that’s easier said than done. According to ESPN, the Bears have the toughest schedule in 2026. Their opponents averaged .550 wins last year.

The Bears drafted Williams first overall in 2024. The former Heisman Trophy winner struggled to win games during his rookie season. Despite completing 351 passes for 3541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, Williams only delivered 5 wins in 17 games.

Per Pro Football Focus, Williams was sacked a staggering 68 times (most in the league). As he came from a winning program like USC, Williams seldom experienced defeat, even though the Trojans missed the postseason in his final college year. He later admitted to experiencing anxiety due to the constant losses.

Williams had to seek help outside of the Bears organization to regain his confidence. He was overjoyed when the Bears appointed Johnson, and together they have become one of the NFL’s best head coach-quarterback duos.

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