The Chicago Bears have officially entrusted their franchise to Caleb Williams as he heads into his second NFL season.
Williams’ rookie year had its ups and downs. The Bears started strong with a 4-2 record but soon lost momentum, leading to the dismissal of head coach Matt Eberflus.
Now, a fresh chapter begins in Chicago. With the hiring of former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, a renewed sense of optimism is spreading among fans.
While change is in the air, some traditions remain intact. During a recent visit to Fanatics, Williams signed a batch of trading cards, leaving a bold message on one: “Green Bay Sucks.” It seems the young quarterback has already embraced the Bears’ long-standing rivalry with the Packers.
Williams split games against Green Bay in his debut season, capping off the year with one of his best performances in a victory over their divisional foes.
Although the Detroit Lions have claimed the NFC North title in back-to-back seasons, one thing remains true—every team in the division shares a deep-rooted dislike for the Packers. With their decades-long dominance, any win against Green Bay is always a moment to celebrate.
Bears Catch Huge Break in Pursuit of Chiefs Pro Bowl OG Trey Smith
The Chicago Bears just received a major boost from the AFC West.
According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic (February 19), the Kansas City Chiefs are unlikely to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith. This means Smith is set to hit free agency next month unless he reaches a long-term deal with Kansas City in the coming weeks.
With the Bears looking to strengthen their offensive line, Smith’s potential availability could be a game-changing opportunity for Chicago as they build around Caleb Williams.
“The Chiefs are not expected to place the franchise tag or the transition tag on Smith, according to a league source,” Taylor wrote. “Instead, the Chiefs should do their best to keep one of their best players by offering Smith a four- or five-year contract.”
Bears Represent Biggest Threat to Chiefs if Trey Smith Becomes Free Agent
Kansas City’s financial constraints could work in Chicago’s favor.
As of Wednesday, Spotrac reports the Bears have $64 million in salary cap space, while the Chiefs are limited to just $3.2 million. The NFL salary cap is expected to rise by $22-$26 million next season following final negotiations between the league and the players association, which could aid Kansas City’s efforts to retain Trey Smith.
However, Chicago has been linked to Smith since before the Super Bowl, and those connections are only gaining momentum. The Bears could present a massive offer—potentially a five-year deal exceeding $100 million—that would make Smith the highest-paid offensive guard in NFL history.
With Caleb Williams sacked 68 times as a rookie, Chicago is in desperate need of O-line reinforcements. New head coach Ben Johnson, who thrived with an elite offensive line in Detroit, has made it clear that strengthening the trenches is a top priority for the Bears.
Bears Dubbed Top Fit for Chiefs Guard Trey Smith
ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked Trey Smith as the No. 2 free agent for 2025 across all positions, further intensifying speculation about a potential move to Chicago. Bowen also listed the Bears as Smith’s ideal landing spot, adding more momentum to the growing buzz that a deal could materialize in the coming weeks.
“The top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago,” Bowen wrote. “Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Bears general manager Ryan Poles could make a splash move to rebuild the front for Ben Johnson’s new offense.”
Chicago holds the No. 10, 39, and 41 picks in the first two rounds of April’s draft and is expected to use at least one or two of those selections on offensive linemen, even if they secure Smith in free agency.
