Caleb Williams, Not Trevor Lawrence or Dak Prescott, Is the Quarterback with the Most to Prove, According to Dan Orlovsky

Caleb Williams finished his rookie season with 3,541 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, ranking behind Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels in both stats.

Caleb Williams, Not Trevor Lawrence or Dak Prescott, Is the Quarterback with the Most to Prove, According to Dan Orlovsky

Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott; In circle: Dan Orlovsky (Images via Getty Images/AP/NY Post)

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The former quarterback and now sportscaster, Dan Orlovsky, ranked Chicago Bears’ sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams first in the list of quarterbacks with the ‘most to prove’ in 2025. The rookie was followed by Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and Minnesota Vikings’ debutant JJ McCarthy.

The fourth and fifth spots were taken up by third-year QBs of the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts, Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, respectively. Williams, Lawrence, and Young were all former first overall selections. Of the five, JJ McCarthy is one with no experience and enters the league with a clean slate after sitting out his rookie year due to an injury.

Caleb Williams, former Heisman winner and 2024 Draft first overall, had a terrible start to his NFL career. The Bears were one of the disappointing watches throughout the season after a nosedive following the bye week. They lost eleven of their last twelve games in the season.

Williams, despite thrashing franchise rookie records, failed to match the seasons of his fellow draft mates, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels. His performance suffered primarily due to the inconsistencies in the coaching room, something that prompted the management to oust their offensive coordinator mid-season.

The Bears have reformed their squad entirely this offseason. The offseason saw Ben Johnson coming in as the head coach after a successful OC stint with the Detroit Lions, where he transformed Jared Goff into the talk of the town. They also bolstered their offensive line with more firepower to protect Williams from sacks. The offseason has provided the quarterback with ample support to be a great quarterback, that he has no option but to shine and prove his worth.

This is not the first time Dan Orlovsky has pointed in the direction of the young quarterback. Orlovsky has previously asked the Bears’ fans to be disappointed once again when Caleb Williams had initial bad days at the beginning of the training camp. Although he straightened these flaws and enjoyed a few good days, the inconsistencies peeked in once again last session.

Caleb Williams yet to earn grace from Ben Johnson

Amid Dan Orlovsky’s comments, Caleb Williams has earned a strict warning from his boss, Ben Johnson, after a sloppy day of practice. The duo has praised each other on many counts, but Johnson hasn’t given Williams the cent percent approval or grace yet.

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams (Image via IMAGO)

Williams has big targets this season. The QB had admitted earlier that he wished to be the first Bears quarterback to record more than 4000 passing yards in a single season. Meanwhile, the head coach wants him to complete more than 70 percent of his attempts. The targets are not unachievable, but mistakes cost badly in this case. Therefore, the drop, no matter whether it was one or a chain of drops, Williams will be questioned.

Johnson, who has this level of expectations, wasn’t happy about the subpar training camp session.

It was sloppy — sloppier than we were hoping we would be at this point.

Ben Johnson told reporters after the practice

Caleb Williams struggled during recent Bears practice, with errant throws, late reads, and stalled drives. A mistimed pass to Rome Odunze, and a nearly intercepted throw highlighted his inconsistency. The offense was outplayed, including a safety allowed by D’Andre Swift. Coach Johnson pulled Williams aside, noting a missed opportunity. While there have been flashes of promise, Williams has yet to deliver consistently.

For now, his reputation remains potential, not proof, at the NFL level, meaning that he has a lot to prove coming September.

Also Read: 5 Young NFL Stars Who Could Have a Breakthrough Season in 2025