Drew Brees gave Caleb Williams a blueprint for accuracy, and Bears fans hope he absorbed it.

Drew Brees gave Caleb Williams a blueprint for accuracy, and Bears fans hope he absorbed it

 

 

CHICAGO — As the Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams continues to develop early in his NFL career, the legacy of accuracy — long a hallmark of Hall of Fame passer Drew Brees — has become part of the conversation about how the young signal‑caller must refine his game.

Brees, one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history, never formally coached Williams but has been cited by mentors and analysts as a model for how elite passers attack fundamentals such as footwork, decision‑making and film study. According to former Bears backup quarterback Chase Daniel, Brees taught him a structured approach to watching film that could benefit any young quarterback. That blueprint — reviewing your own game right after Sundays, studying opponents early in the week, and breaking down down‑and‑distance tendencies — was something Bears fans have pointed to as exactly the type of knowledge Williams should be absorbing as he climbs the learning curve in Chicago.

 

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has flashed elite playmaking ability, yet accuracy remains an area of sharp focus entering his second NFL season. Scouts and analysts have consistently pointed out that while his arm talent and improvisational skills are elite, his completion percentage and consistency in placement lag behind many of the league’s better quarterbacks. That’s particularly true on rhythm‑type throws and intermediate routes, where ball placement must be precise to sustain scoring drives and keep defenses honest.

 

In 2025, Williams finished below the league average in completion percentage and ranked near the bottom of the NFL in several passer accuracy metrics, prompting Bears fans and commentators alike to debate what it would take for him to reach the next level. Williams has publicly acknowledged a need to tighten up his footwork and timing — fundamentals that are central to Brees’ celebrated mechanics — and the coaching staff has echoed that focus throughout offseason work.

 

“There’s no secret here,” one offensive coach said during a late‑summer media session. “We want Caleb to be decisive. That starts with how you set your feet, how quickly you get the ball out, and how well you can see the field while staying balanced.” That emphasis mirrors the sort of precision‑first philosophy Brees preached throughout his career. While Williams has the dynamic traits that excite fans — such as his ability to extend plays and make off‑platform throws — Bears supporters have frequently said what they want most is consistent accuracy rather than just highlight‑reel throws.

Chicago’s 2025 season provided mixed evidence that Williams is growing into that part of his game. In some outings, he looked poised and delivered timely, accurate throws; in others, accuracy issues resurfaced, especially when pressured or in rhythm‑passing situations.

 

For Bears fans, though, the hope is that Williams’ explosive potential coupled with an improved understanding of accuracy techniques — the sort Brees embodied — will lead to the kind of consistency that turns the franchise’s long quarterback drought into sustained success. They are watching closely, hoping he truly absorbed that blueprint.