5 offensive bold predictions for the Bears 2025 season including how influential Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III will be as rookies
The Chicago Bears are gearing up to have an explosive and exciting offense in 2025 with head coach Ben Johnson calling the plays and quarterback Caleb Williams under center, not to mention the plethora of weapons all around.Adding in the improved offensive line as well illustrates how revamped this unit is, and what they can […]
The Chicago Bears are gearing up to have an explosive and exciting offense in 2025 with head coach Ben Johnson calling the plays and quarterback Caleb Williams under center, not to mention the plethora of weapons all around.
Adding in the improved offensive line as well illustrates how revamped this unit is, and what they can become this upcoming season.
Normally, I don't like getting my hopes up too early, but given it's the downtime of the offseason, there isn't a better time to drop some early bold predictions, starting with the offense in particular.
1. Caleb Williams becomes the team's first 4,000 yard passer
This is something many fans envisioned happening last season, but it was lofty goals for the rookie first overall pick. Williams finished his rookie season with 3,541 passing yards, which still ranked 5th in franchise history.
Given all the offensive improvements and a not only a competent play-caller, but one of the best in the entire league, this feat is much more feasible in Year 2. Under Johnson's offense, Detroit Lions' quarterback Jared Goff reached 4,000+ yards in each of the last three seasons and Williams has far more skill and talent.
"I see this as what a great opportunity that we have to do something that’s never been done," Johnson explained. "There’s never been a 4,000-yard passer in this franchise and I think Caleb’s going to be the first one. One of many years where he’s going to accomplish that feat. I see a chance for greatness here for him."
2. Colston Loveland leads the team in receiving TDs
Given the amount of talent on the Bears' offense, going with the rookie TE to lead the entire team in touchdowns is pretty bold, but not too far-fetched.
When the Bears drafted Loveland with the 10th overall pick, he immediately drew comparisons to Lions' tight end Sam LaPorta who set the NFL rookie TE reception record not to mention having a team-high 10 receiving TDs for Detroit in 2023.
Loveland's path to producing similar numbers will be difficult given the talent in the building such as DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. But, everything that's said about Loveland shows how much of a role he's going to have in the passing game.
"I do see a lot of comparisons to LaPorta, but that’s not just on the field. That was off the field as well, because with LaPorta, the stage was never too big or too bright," Johnson explained. "I felt that same thing with Colston the first time I met him. He doesn’t bat an eye. He performs at a high level."
3. Olamide Zaccheaus out-snaps Luther Burden III
As for the other rookie pass catcher, the 2025 outlook is heading the opposite direction for wide receiver Luther Burden III, which is interesting because both he and Loveland haven't been able to practice with the entire offense yet due to injury.
Burden could easily still have a solid role in this offense as a versatile run-after-catch weapon, but the addition of Olamide Zaccheaus could hamper Burden's 2025 expectations, especially since Burden has missed so much time this offseason.
Zaccheaus, being the veteran and the one who's been working with the first-team offense, has the leg up right now in the slot. Not saying Burden can't catch up and be a factor in 2025, but I can see Zaccheaus earning more playing time this season.
4. Darnell Wright earns his first Pro Bowl selection
The writing is all over the wall for this one. Darnell Wright has consistently improved each season at right tackle and is due for his national spotlight.
Playing for Ben Johnson in the Penei Sewell role will be the push Wright needs to start being mentioned among the top right tackles in the game. He certainly has the ability to do so and playing with a more experienced offensive front will help.
It took until Year 3 for Sewell to really breakout, even through he was a Pro Bowl selection as a sophomore. Year 3 for Wright could be a special one.
5. Three different players make starts at LT
A battle is set to take place during training camp for the starting left tackle position between Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
Amegadjie and Trapilo split reps during OTAs and minicamp with Jones sidelined, but things will intensify once pads are on and Jones is medically cleared to practice.
At the end of the day, I can easily see all three players end up making starts at left tackle. Hypothetically, let's say Jones opens the season as the starter but eventually loses the job to Trapilo. Then, it only takes a trade and/or injury for Amegadjie to enter the lineup. Given the ebbs and flows of a 17-game season, anything is possible.
