Caleb Williams elected as one of
Bears captains for the 3rd straight season
[September 09, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams is a captain for the Chicago Bears for
the third straight season, a development that he doesn't take
lightly.
“It’s really cool, to be honest,” Williams said Tuesday. "It’s my
third year in the league and I’ve been a captain for the three
years. That doesn’t happen every year, that doesn’t happen often. So
just being able to be in this position, blessed.”
While being a team captain is nothing new for Williams, the
expectations for the 24-year-old quarterback are higher than ever.
Chicago has some major defensive questions going into Sunday's
opener at Carolina, but the Bears feel pretty good about Williams
directing an offense with loads of potential.
Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards while leading
Chicago to the NFC North title in Ben Johnson's first season as
coach. He had 27 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
It's a much different situation for Williams and Johnson going into
this season compared to last year.
“Obviously getting a new coach, you’re wondering how you’re going to
jell on game day, how things are going to work out,” Williams said.
“He was obviously probably wondering the same thing going into Week
1. I would say that’s the biggest thing, the confidence in myself
and the playbook and the things that I know and recognizing defenses
and checking the ball down, getting the ball into my guys’ hands,
delivering a good ball. I think that’s where I’ve grown and where
we’ve grown.”
Williams was one of five captains selected by the team. He was
joined by offensive lineman Joe Thuney, defensive lineman Grady
Jarrett, linebacker T.J. Edwards and kicker Cairo Santos.
Williams could be without one of his top targets for the matchup
with the Panthers. Rome Odunze is day to day after the wide receiver
left Thursday’s practice with an unspecified injury.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, center, Chicago Bulls
players Caleb Wilson, left, and Matas Buzelis. right, along with
music video director Cole Bennett, second from right, cheer during
the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and
Milwaukee Brewers in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (AP
Photo/Paul Beaty)
“We’re hopeful he’ll be ready to go on Sunday,”
Johnson said.
While Odunze's availability is unclear, fellow wide receiver Luther
Burden is ready to go after being sidelined by a groin injury for
much of training camp. Running back D’Andre Swift also looks as if
he is on track for Week 1 after departing Thursday’s padded practice
with a trainer.
Burden said he has noticed a difference with Williams this year
compared to last season.
“I just feel like he’s more vocal," he said. "He’s more confident in
play-calling, getting the plays out to us. Knowing how to get the
ball there, knowing when to get there, timing and stuff like that.”
The Bears were off last weekend, and Williams made the most of it.
He went to Wrigley Field on Thursday night and cheered for his
friend, Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Then he wore a mask
and sunglasses when he attended a concert by the rapper Ye, formerly
known as Kanye West, at Soldier Field on Friday night.
“I think being able to get away in those 3 1/2 days that we had is
important, just understanding that we went through a long training
camp and not do anything crazy," Williams said. "It’s in Chicago.
I’m not flying anywhere. Had a cool event that I was able to go to
and kind of get away a little bit.”
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