The Chicago Bears are making headlines in both the NFL and college football worlds, but for very different reasons. In the pros, all eyes are on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who is shattering records and silencing critics, while new head coach Ben Johnson attempts to ignite a sputtering run game. Meanwhile, the Baylor Bears are forging their own path in the college ranks behind a high-octane offense and a knack for dramatic comebacks, though defensive woes continue to haunt them. Let’s dive into the latest developments shaping these two Bears teams as the football season heats up.
Starting in Chicago, the buzz is all about Caleb Williams. Entering the 2025 NFL season, Williams faced immense pressure. The former No. 1 overall pick was expected to turn around a franchise desperate for a return to relevance. Through five weeks, he’s done more than just meet expectations—he’s made NFL history. According to Bears Muse on X, Williams is now the first quarterback in league history to be a No. 1 overall pick and record 25 or more touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions in under 20 games. That’s not just impressive, it’s unprecedented!
Williams’ stats back up the hype. Over the first five weeks, he’s completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 927 yards, tossing eight touchdowns against just two interceptions. On the ground, he’s chipped in 110 rushing yards and a touchdown, showing off the dual-threat ability that made him such a coveted prospect. Last season, Williams put up 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 62.5 percent of his throws, plus 489 rushing yards—though he didn’t find the end zone as a runner then. The improvement is clear: Williams looks more poised, confident, and in control of the offense.
Despite his individual brilliance, the Bears’ record sits at 2-2. After dropping their first two games, Chicago bounced back with two straight wins following a Week 4 bye. The turnaround has energized a fanbase long starved for hope, but there’s no denying the team still has work to do before anyone can call them Super Bowl contenders. “Even though the Bears are playing better over the last two weeks, they are still far from being a Super Bowl contender. A lot of work needs to be done,” noted one analyst at Newsweek Sports.
One major area of concern? The run game—or lack thereof. Through four games, Chicago is averaging just 102.3 rushing yards per contest, ranking 24th in the NFL. D’Andre Swift leads the team with 187 rushing yards on 3.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns, while Williams himself is the second-leading rusher. The Bears’ weekly rushing totals—119, 134, 87, and 69 yards—paint a picture of inconsistency and, at times, outright struggle.
Head coach Ben Johnson isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. On October 8, he addressed the issue directly: “Our guys are going to be fine. It’s not always the runners. It’s everybody. It’s the quarterback carrying out his fake. It’s the receivers blocking downfield. It’s the tight ends doing their job. The same thing with the offensive line. I think there’s a lot of times on that tape we’re not giving our runners a chance.” Johnson emphasized that the running game’s woes are a collective problem, not just the fault of the backs. He remains confident improvement is on the horizon. “The running game—I’ve kind of alluded to it over the course of training camp—it’s going to take a little bit of time for our guys to all mesh together and I think that’s what the tape looks like now. We’re just not firing on all cylinders yet.”
Johnson’s optimism is evident as he continues, “The guys are playing hard. They are playing for each other. We’re doing a good job of getting that squared away and I think good things will happen the more time we spend together.” The message is clear: patience, teamwork, and trust in the process.
Looking ahead, Williams and the Bears face a tough Week 6 road matchup against the Washington Commanders and their own young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The contest will offer another test for Chicago’s developing offense and a chance for Williams to further cement his status as a rising star. If the Bears can maintain their recent momentum and shore up the run game, they could emerge as a dark horse in the playoff race. For now, the situation remains fluid, with plenty of football left to play.
Shifting gears to the college scene, the Baylor Bears are crafting a compelling story of their own. Six weeks into the season, Baylor sits at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, positioning themselves as legitimate contenders in the Big 12. The offense has been the driving force, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Robertson’s numbers are eye-popping: he leads all of college football with 2,058 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Talk about lighting up the scoreboard!
Robertson isn’t doing it alone. Sophomore running back Bryson Washington is living up to the preseason hype, pacing the Big 12 with 557 rushing yards—good for seventh in the nation. The receiving corps, initially seen as a potential weakness, has blossomed thanks to the NCAA’s late decision to grant Ashtyn Hawkins eligibility. Josh Cameron remains the go-to wideout, Kobe Prentice leads the team with six touchdown catches, and breakout transfer Kole Wilson adds another dimension. But perhaps the biggest surprise has been tight end Michael Trigg. Leading all FBS tight ends in catches and receiving yards, Trigg’s highlight-reel one-handed sideline grab on October 4 even topped “Sportscenter’s Top 10 plays.” NFL draft analyst Ryan Roberts called Trigg “far and away Baylor’s best draft prospect.”
With so much firepower, some are calling Baylor’s trio of Robertson, Washington, and Trigg the most dynamic three-headed monster in college football—maybe even the country’s most explosive offensive unit. But it’s not all sunshine in Waco. The defense remains a glaring weakness, allowing 29.7 points per game and tying for last in the Big 12 with just eight sacks. Despite bringing in 13 defensive transfers, including edge rushers Matthew-Fobbs White and Emar’rion Winston, the unit has struggled to make a consistent impact. “Defense wins championships, and while timely turnovers have been crucial for Baylor’s first four wins, this team cannot consider itself a serious contender if they’re a free 30 points every weekend,” the analysis noted.
Still, there’s a resilience to this Baylor squad that’s hard to ignore. Head coach Dave Aranda has fostered a culture of belief and grit, as evidenced by two double-digit fourth-quarter comebacks already this year. With Robertson’s experience and the offense’s quick-strike capability, Baylor is never truly out of a game. That mentality could prove invaluable as they chase a spot in the Big 12 title game and, perhaps, their first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
With pivotal conference clashes looming—including an undefeated showdown between BYU and Texas Tech on November 8—the race is wide open. Both Bears teams, in Chicago and Waco, are at critical junctures. As the season unfolds, fans can expect plenty more twists, turns, and highlight moments from these squads determined to make their mark.
For now, the storylines are still developing. But if the first half of the season is any indication, the Bears—pro and college alike—are set to keep things interesting all autumn long.
