Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams lays out what he wants in team's next head coach

Come this time next week, the Chicago Bears will be heading towards a massive crossroads.

They'll need to hire a new head coach.

It's not as simple as getting the right guy. They need a coach who will develop Caleb Williams while also helping the Bear defense regain its defensive edge.

Williams, who has had the best rookie season of any Bears' rookie quarterback in team history, already knows what he wants.

"Being tough on me," Williams said. "Challenging me."

This isn't to say interim head coach Thomas Brown and the Bears' coaches now haven't been tough on him.

Williams acknowledged he's been challenged in his first season. He's also responded well. 

Williams currently has the fifth-most passing yards in a single season in Bears' history. He's thrown for 3,393 yards and 19 touchdowns, both Bears' rookie records. With a massive game in Week 18 vs. Green Bay, he could overtake Erik Kramer's record of 3,838 passing yards as the Bears' single-season passing leader.

With that in mind, Williams has a chance to be great in Chicago. He wants a head coach that will consistently push him in an effort to get to that level. On Wednesday, Williams also alluded to accountability, something Matt Eberflus talked about plenty of times before he was fired in November of 2024.

"Just a consistent challenge throughout the season, or even before the season," Williams said. "A challenge is also holding people accountable." 

Williams has held himself accountable plenty of times, including last week. After the 6-3 loss to Seattle, Williams said he deserves blame for the loss because of the sacks he took.

The Seahawks sacked Williams seven times, but Williams was adamant he was responsible for most of those sacks. Brown was asked about how Williams can improve in taking sacks.

He said it comes down to mechanics, which will cut down on the 67 sacks Williams has taken this season.

However, those mechanics are something that Williams will have to be coached up with the team's next head coach. 

"Having the reaction of how they play it out coverage wise, what persons they bring. Also, understanding where all my quick element throws are if we have an opportunity for that," Brown said. "Think in times we’re understanding how to maintain proper pocket integrity. Being able to hitch in place and not run yourself into a potential sack. 

However, Brown also pointed out the fact that taking sacks is also something that goes beyond Williams.

"It's an all 11 problem," Brown said.

Brown has a point – the Bears' issues go way beyond Williams taking sacks this season – however, it's something that needs to be addressed.

That's why the Bears need someone that isn't afraid to challenge the team in multiple ways and consistently from the second the team shows up to Halas Hall for the 2025 season.

"That starts before the season, making sure everyone is where they need to be, the details are on point and we’re challenging each other – whether it’s coaches or players," Williams said. "Bringing that type of challenge and mindset to the Chicago Bears."