Bears Predicted to Replace Caleb Williams Before End of Season
The NFL is on the cusp of the dog days of November, and with the trade deadline just around the corner, several takes are heating up around the football-sphere.
One involving Chicago Bears quarterback and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams came out of left field last week and originated on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“Ben Johnson will bench Caleb Williams and start Tyson Bagent,” Simmons said on the October 22 edition of the show. “Tyson Bagent will be the starter in time for Week 13/Week 14.”
Simmons’ co-hosts asked him to elaborate on why he offered that prediction.
“I think the Bears are pretty good, and I think Caleb is holding them back, and Ben Johnson is just gonna be like [bleep] it. And he loves Tyson Bagent. Like, loves him,” Simmons responded. “They’re like a playoff team, and Caleb has not been good for them.”
“I don’t know what the impetus will be, but there were a lot of bread crumbs being dropped Tyson Bagent’s way before the year about what an unbelievable teammate he is,” Simmons continued. “I think, at some point, their team is pretty good. They just need somebody to drive the car and they could go like, 11-6.”
Caleb Williams’ Presence in Chicago Primary Factor in Ben Johnson Choosing to Coach Bears
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Simmons isn’t the only person in the NFL universe to float the notion of Bagent over Williams in Chicago at some point in the relatively near future. However, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network vehemently disagreed with that general take during a mailbag he authored on October 28.
“The Bears are not turning to Tyson Bagent right now. No way. Not even on the table,” Bair wrote. “They drafted Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. He has the mobility and arm talent and skill to be an excellent quarterback in this league, and I personally wouldn’t put him and Justin Fields in the same category. Not by a long shot.”
Bair continued his argument by noting that Johnson held out for the Chicago job and turned down a potential chance to join Tom Brady with the Las Vegas Raiders precisely because Williams is on the Bears’ roster.
“Ben Johnson came to Chicago, in part, because of Williams. He is committed to Williams’ development as a player in a complex scheme it’ll take a long time to master,” Bair wrote. “While Williams hasn’t been as impactful as many would like, he’s not playing poorly.”
Caleb Williams Has Clearly Made Strides in Second NFL Season
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
Ben Solak of ESPN weighed in on the Williams debate this week in his column, agreeing with Bair that Williams hasn’t been bad, but has actually played well this season.
“By EPA per drop back, Williams is just about average for the season at 0.03. For perspective, Baker Mayfield — whom some were calling an MVP candidate through September — is at 0.05,” Solak wrote Tuesday. “[Jayden] Daniels is at 0.02, as is Jaxson Dart. Put another way: If Williams were performing
Solak acknowledged there is still a long path for Williams to tread, but there is also marked improvement in his game from his first season to the second.
“Williams has plenty to improve. He must be more accurate on layup throws, which he is obviously rushing and overthinking,” Solak continued. “His hurried releases stem from a rookie season in which he held the ball far too long and took too many bad sacks. But notice the growth from Year 1 to Year 2. He has halved his sack rate, from 10% in 2024 to below 5% this season. The more he’s able to trust his pass protection, the smoother these throws will become.”
J.K. Dobbins Sends Strong Message on Broncos Future
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins says that the thought of a contract extension hasn’t crossed his mind, but he wants to stay regardless. “I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL. Far as extension and all that, though, I don’t think about that. … But,
“I hope to end my career here … I want to be in Denver. I love it. I love the fan base … I love Sean Payton. I love the owners … but I don’t think about the extension part,” Dobbins told Mason.
Why the Message Matters to Denver’s Timeline
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has been one of the most productive running backs in the league in 2025. How Denver values him going forward remains to be seen.
For the Broncos, the running back’s stance checks two important boxes at once. First, it cools down the short-term noise. When a player is asked about a new deal and answers with “I’m focused on ball,” it signals to the locker room that the priority is wins, not press conferences. Second, it frames the long-term conversation in the most team-friendly way possible: Dobbins is saying he wants to be here without putting the front office on the clock.
The 26-year-old Dobbins is also one of the leading rushers in the NFL right now. Through eight games, he has the third most rushing yards with 634 and an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He’s also added four touchdowns into that equation. He and
Fit With Sean Payton & the Backfield Plan
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has been a meaningful part of Denver’s early season rise to the top of the AFC.
Payton’s offenses — from New Orleans to Denver — prioritize backs who are decisive between the tackles, dependable in blitz pickup and useful on angle routes and screens. Dobbins checks those boxes, which is why his words carry extra weight. He isn’t merely saying nice things; he’s describing a place where his skill set makes sense.
That fit shows up on situational downs. On early downs, Dobbins’ patience and one-cut style marry well with the Broncos’ run concepts. On third down, trust matters more than anything, and his comments hint at a strong player-coach relationship with Payton — a prerequisite for staying on the field in pass-heavy moments. Inside the red zone, where every yard is a fight, a veteran who embraces the scheme is an edge you feel on Sundays.
Depth is a reality at running back, and Denver will keep rotating to stay fresh. Rookie running back CJ Harvey finally showcased his breakout ability against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, ripping off a 40-yard run and two touchdowns.
When Extension Talk Actually Makes Sense
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has shown he’s the No. 1 running back in Denver so far this season, but will that continue?
Dobbins said he isn’t thinking about an extension, and that’s the smart play for both sides. League-wide, most meaningful talks for veterans on short-term deals happen after a season or late in the year once durability, usage and team needs are settled. That timing reduces risk and sharpens comps.
From the team side, there are obvious levers: structure over splash. Clubs often prefer short guarantees, incentives tied to games played and production, and flexibility year to year. From the player side, momentum matters. If Dobbins keeps stacking strong outings in Payton’s system, he strengthens his case without ever having to posture in public. If the year turns bumpy, his message today — team-first, Denver-first — still plays with the fan base and the room.
It makes a reasonable amount of sense for Denver to take a wait-and-see-approach, too. Dobbins has been a productive running back when healthy in previous seasons for Baltimore and Los Angeles. He has, however, suffered major injuries that could lead any team to be hesitant with locking him up long term.
Dobbins, according to DraftSharks, has worked through a broken fibula in 2016 prior to entering the NFL, and then had a gruesome injury in 2021, tearing his hamstring, ACL and LCL, and damaging his meniscus. In 2023, he suffered a torn Achilles. Despite the major injuries, he holds a career average of 5.3 yards per carry, which is still an elite number in the NFL.
What It Means for Fans — & What’s Next
Fans heard two things in Dobbins’ remarks: commitment and confidence. Commitment, in that he openly tied his future to Denver; confidence, in that he doesn’t need contract headlines to validate his role. That combination is rare — and welcome — for a team trying to stack wins and build an identity around toughness and detail.
What’s next is simple: keep the main thing the main thing. If Dobbins keeps delivering the things Payton values — efficient early-down runs, secure pass protection, ball security and late-game finishing — the business conversation will find him when it’s supposed to. Until then, his message stands on its own.
