Caleb Williams Shines in the Chicago Bears’ Offense Under Ben Johnson

2025 Fantasy Football and Betting Outlook: Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams: Breakout or Bust?

Williams enters his first full year as Chicago’s franchise quarterback with both hype and uncertainty. Last season, he flashed brilliance with 20 touchdowns, 3,500 passing yards, and 489 rushing yards, but also showed inconsistencies behind a collapsing offensive line. This preseason, however, Williams has looked transformed under new head coach Ben Johnson, whose offensive schemes have fueled optimism across fantasy and betting markets.

The fantasy community is split:

• The Case For: Johnson’s history of creative play-calling, plus upgraded protection, gives Williams real top-10 QB upside. If he hits early, he’ll be rostered and started in nearly every league by Week 2.

• The Case Against: He’s still a young QB in transition. Even with weapons in place, there’s risk of inconsistency and turnover-prone stretches.

In 1-QB leagues, Williams is best drafted as a low-end QB1 with insurance—pairing him with a safer veteran makes sense. In superflex formats, he’s already a strong QB2 with upside to ascend into the elite tier.

The Running Back Rotation

The Bears’ backfield is one of the trickiest puzzles in fantasy.

• DeAndre Swift (RB23 ADP): Once again overlooked, Swift is positioned as a mid-round RB1/2 who thrives in PPR formats. Ben Johnson knows him well from Detroit, and that familiarity could translate into consistent usage.

• Roschon Johnson: A physical runner who could carve out goal-line work. He caps Swift’s upside but remains more of a mid-to-late-round stash.

This is a committee backfield. Swift won’t be a top-10 RB, but as a Round 5–6 target in PPR, he offers value if you open drafts WR-heavy.

A Loaded Receiver Room

Chicago’s offense has been rebuilt around Williams with an upgraded pass-catching corps:

• DJ Moore: Still the alpha and a top-15 fantasy WR, his chemistry with Williams will set the tone.

• Rome Odunze: The rookie first-round pick profiles as an immediate contributor and future star.

• Luther Burden III: A dynamic weapon who adds depth and versatility, though volume may limit his rookie-year ceiling.

The issue? Too many mouths to feed. With two tight ends (Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet) also in the mix, volume distribution could frustrate fantasy managers. Loveland, in particular, is an intriguing late-round TE sleeper.

Betting the Bears in 2025

Sportsbooks have reacted quickly to the Ben Johnson hire and Williams’ preseason flashes:

• Win Total: Chicago’s line jumped from 7.5 to 8.5 wins, showing market confidence in improvement.

• Playoff Odds: Priced in the +175 to +200 range, the Bears are viewed as Wild Card contenders, but not divisional favorites.

• Williams Props: His passing yards prop sits in the 3,650–3,800 range, with touchdowns around 24.5–25.5. Given the weapons, the overs are tempting—but the safer bet may be his rushing yards prop (~475–500), where his playmaking ability shines.

Final Word: Proceed with Caution, But Don’t Fade the Talent

Williams has the tools, the coach, and the weapons to become one of fantasy’s hottest breakout quarterbacks. But fantasy managers should tread carefully—rookie-style volatility may still be part of his 2025 arc.

• Fantasy Takeaway: Draft Williams as a QB1 if paired with a safer backup. Swift is a value in PPR, Moore is steady as ever, and Odunze offers rookie upside. Loveland is a sneaky TE stash.

• Betting Takeaway: Bears’ win total at 8.5 is sharp—lean under if you’re skeptical, over if you buy the Johnson hype. Player prop overs on Williams’ rushing yards and Moore’s receiving production look like the sharpest plays.

You can read all about what’s going on in the National Football League at SportsGrid.com.