When the Bears made the call for the No. 1 pick in 2024, fireworks went off in Chicago. The Windy City hadn’t buzzed like that since the ’85 Bears were body-slamming quarterbacks. Caleb Williams was supposed to be the answer—the face, the future, the franchise. But 17 games and 68 sacks later, the confetti was swept up, and the questions began. And now, heading into his second year, the excuses are running out. In fact, one former NFL linebacker just grabbed the mic and said what a lot of fans have been thinking.
The Bears have been chasing a playoff berth since 2020. In a bid to finally turn the tide, they drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The hype was real—highlight reels, comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, and hopes of revival in Soldier Field. But despite all the promise, the franchise ended with a disappointing 5-12 record.
Williams’ stat line looked solid on paper: 351 completions out of 562 attempts, a 62.5% completion rate, 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. But the most glaring number was this—he led the entire league in sacks taken with 68. For a player expected to be a savior, those hits hurt more than just his stat sheet. So this year, fans have one burning question: Will he finally deliver? And according to former NFL linebacker and current analyst Emmanuel Acho, the time for excuses is over.
On the April 30 episode of The Facility, Acho didn’t hold back. “What were the excuses Caleb Williams had last year? Let’s start with this: he was a rookie. But that rookie excuse is now out the window,” he said. Acho made a strong comparison—Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, drafted second overall in the same year, led his team all the way to the NFC Championship. Williams didn’t come close. So clearly, it’s not just about being a rookie.
Image credits: Imago
Then came the offensive line excuse, which Acho addressed head-on. “He had a bad offensive line — fair. They brought in three to four new starting offensive linemen.” He’s not wrong. Chicago made major moves this offseason, bringing in guard Jonah Jackson from the Rams, Joe Thuney from the Chiefs, and center Drew Dalman from the Falcons. The trenches are now fortified.
But Acho wasn’t finished. He then turned his attention to the wide receiver room. “Next excuse: Keenan Allen was hurt. So they went out and got a first-round talent — Luther Burden out of Missouri — who fell to the second round.” The Bears drafted Luther Burden at No. 39 overall, and the young wideout isn’t shy about his motivation. “It’s always in the back of my head that teams chose other people above me. So, I’ll see them,” Burden said.
The team also strengthened the tight end position. Acho added, “Then came the tight end excuse — a quarterback’s best friend. So they drafted a first-round tight end, Colston Loveland out of Michigan.” Head coach Ben Johnson was reportedly drawn to Loveland due to his similarities with Lions TE Sam LaPorta—both big-bodied, athletic, and consistent. At 6-foot-6 and 248 lbs, Loveland looks like a natural red zone threat.
As the draft unfolded, Johnson finally had a hand in building the offense he wanted. But that also means expectations just got higher—for everyone involved.
Can Ben Johnson help Caleb Williams leave behind the excuses?
There’s context to last year’s disaster. The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus mid-season after Week 13, a move that left the team in chaos for its final stretch. But Acho wasn’t letting that slide either. “Final excuse: they didn’t have an offensive-minded head coach. Matt Eberflus was a former linebacker coach turned defensive coordinator turned head coach. Now? They hired one of the brightest young offensive minds in the game — Ben Johnson.”
It’s harsh—but true. Johnson spent the last 15 years rising through the ranks of offensive coaching. As the Lions offensive coordinator, he helped the team reach the playoffs dominantly in both 2023 and 2024. And now, he’s got the reins in Chicago.
Still, it’s Johnson’s first year as an NFL head coach, and the pressure cooker is already on. As Acho said, “There are no more excuses. If the Bears aren’t good this year — especially on offense — it’s on Caleb Williams. It’s not on Ben Johnson. It’s solely on the quarterback. How much more help does he need?” In fairness, the blame can’t fall entirely on Williams—but he does need to step up. He now has a revamped O-line, a promising new WR and TE, and a head coach who actually speaks fluent offense. For once, the situation is built for him to thrive.
So what now? The Bears’ QB-HC duo had the whole offseason to align their vision, make their picks, and stack their playbooks. Excuses might have flown last year—but this time, performance is the only currency that counts.
The post Caleb Williams Told to Curb ‘Excuses’ as Pressure Mounts on Bears QB & Ben Johnson After Massive Draft Haul appeared first on EssentiallySports.
