Caleb Williams reveals he was ‘drowning trying to breathe’ as Bears face new Super Bowl pressure

Caleb Williams is a 2026 NFL MVP candidate and the Chicago Bears are preseason Super Bowl contenders.

But with all of that potential comes serious pressure for a team that could relocate to Indiana.

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Bears fans dreaming of another Super Bowl

“It’s a hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year,” Williams recently said.

“Just because it was — I was saying it to (running backs coach Eric Studesville), ‘Dude, I feel like I was drowning trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around last year.’ “

Part of that is because the Bears were adapting to a new offense and team philosophy under rookie head coach Ben Johnson, who had been pried away from the NFC North rival Detroit Lions.

But Williams has often been more honest than most quarterbacks and the former No. 1 overall draft pick again revealed a ‘real’ side of himself while discussing the 2025 season.

“This year, it’s being able to start where we finished last year,” Williams said.

“Playcalls and words and verbiage and speak the same language, and now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season, speaking on things that really help throughout the year. That’s the advantage.”

The Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North last year, then won a thrilling Wild Card game 31-27 vs the Green Bay Packers.

Williams is the centerpiece of Chicago, which will enter the 2026 season facing the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets to start a new year.

Iceman knows Chicago wants more from its NFL team

From his painted fingernails and new ‘Iceman’ nickname to his clutch touchdown throws in playoff games and Super Bowl potential, the former USC and Oklahoma star has become the new face of the Bears.

“I go out every single day, blood, sweat and tears,” Williams previously posted.

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“I give my all on every single play, every chance that I get. I’ve been an advocate for mental health, show your emotions and express yourself.”

Safety Dillon Thieneman, center Logan Jones and tight end Sam Roush were recently drafted by the Bears to help support Williams’ Super Bowl dream.

There have been times when the 24-year-old QB has appeared overwhelmed by all the pressure and the Washington Commanders‘ Jayden Daniels (No. 2 pick in 2024) looked like the better young field general.

But Williams’ fourth-and-8 ‘silhouette pass’ fired to Rome Odunze in the playoff winner vs the Packers was proof of the young QB’s clutch talent.

After feeling the pressure of 2025, the intensity will only increase this year.

Another intense training camp is expected as the Bears attempt to win their first Super Bowl since a legendary run in 1985, when Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon and Walter Payton ruled Chicago.

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“You got to pay a price,” Johnson said.

“You got to make deposits if you want to have success in this league. I’ve been in it 15 years now. I don’t think there’s any way you can cut corners and expect to win on Sundays.”

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