‘I'm Not Convinced' Former NFL Exec Delivers Blunt Assessment of Caleb Williams
'I'm Not Convinced' Former NFL Exec Delivers Blunt Assessment of Caleb Williams originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After a season filled with flashes of promise and frustrating inconsistency, expectations remain sky-high for Caleb Williams as he enters his second year in Chicago. Despite the ups and downs, the former No. 1 pick managed to break the Bears' rookie records for both passing yards and passing touchdowns—a testament to his talent and upside. Now with a new head coach in Ben Johnson and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, the Bears are hoping a reset will bring more consistency to their young quarterback.
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Still, not everyone is sold. One former NFL executive in particular has voiced serious concerns. Mike Tannenbaum, a former general manager and current ESPN football analyst, made headlines on a recent appearance on Get Up, ESPN's weekday morning show, when he was asked directly: 'Is Caleb Williams the quarterback to bring the Bears back to glory?' Captured by Cham Sura on YouTube, Tannenbaum was candid in his evaluation:
'I am not… [convinced]. I work with Ben Johnson… the new head coach of the Bears. He is going to be a rule-based, disciplined play caller and coach.'
'When you have 68 sacks… you have to bear some of that responsibility.'
'No team has done more for their quarterback in this offseason than the Bears. We'll see if he gets better, but I am concerned by his lack of discipline and his fundamentals.'
ESPN insider Dan Graziano, however, took a more measured stance:
'The word 'convinced' is a tricky one here... we don't have enough data on Caleb Williams in the NFL to be convinced one way or the other.'
Now under the direction of head coach Ben Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, the Bears are hoping for a true fresh start. Johnson, who spent the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, played a pivotal role in transforming their offense into one of the league's most productive and creative units.
Caleb WilliamsGetty Images
That proven track record adds optimism that he can bring similar success to Chicago's rebuild. With a strong draft class that includes dynamic tight end Colston Loveland and explosive wideout Luther Burden III, the Bears have surrounded Williams with talent. If he can capitalize on that support, year two could become a defining chapter in his development.
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Related: Chicago Bears Rookie Lands Among Top Jersey Sellers Despite Inactivity
Related: Bears Coach Delivers Harsh Message to Struggling Rookie
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
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