The Chicago Bears had high expectations for the No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.

Caleb Williams looked like a generational talent, and even though the quarterback had to clean up plenty of things in his game, he was expected to make an immediate impact.

As such, it didn’t take long before some fans and analysts started calling him a bust, as he didn’t live up to the hype.

However, instead of looking back in anger or disappointment, Williams recently said he believes it may have been a blessing in disguise.

“I put it in perspective as last year was good, needed it,” Williams said. “I’ve had a lot go (right) for me in the past probably six years or so. … To have a year like that was a good reset for me.”

Up to his NFL debut, Williams hadn’t really been battle-tested.

He thrived off his talent alone, and his wild throws could bail him out in college, but not in the NFL.

Of course, to be fair, it wasn’t all on him.

He wasn’t put in a real position to succeed, with head coach Matt Eberflus holding back the offense with a subpar play-calling situation.

Williams also played behind one of the shakiest offensive lines in the league.

The Bears have gone to great lengths to address that, also pairing him with an offensive-minded head coach in Ben Johnson.

As such, a breakout year could be in the making.

It’s never wise to count out a young quarterback too early, even if he does get better but still doesn’t live up to the sky-high expectations this season.

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