WARE, England — When Bears chairman George McCaskey signed off on a full-scale teardown and rebuild under incoming general manager Ryan Poles in 2022, it was one thing to imagine what that would entail, but a whole other to endure the mountain of losses that came with it.
First there was the total write-off in ’22, when the Bears were the NFL’s worst team at 3-14, then the various shortcomings that amounted to a 7-10 record last season. Along the way, they prolonged what is now a 10-game losing streak to the Packers, remained in the NFC North’s basement and totally rebooted at quarterback by trading Justin Fields and drafting Caleb Williams.
Finally, in Year 3, the outlook has brightened. The Bears are 3-2 heading into their game Sunday against the Jaguars in London, Williams appears to be surging and optimism is the highest it’s been since they won the division in 2018.
“It’s been difficult,” McCaskey said Thursday at Hanbury Manor as his team practiced on the English countryside in the distance. “It’s been very frustrating for all Bears fans. Now we’re seeing signs of it coming together, and I hope it just keeps going the way it’s going.”
Williams’ development is the biggest determinant in whether that momentum continues and ultimately if the Bears end a championship drought that’s nearing four decades.
He was thrilled to welcome Williams into the organization when the Bears drafted him No. 1 overall in April and has enjoyed the effect his uniquely charming personality has had on Halas Hall.
Just as importantly, McCaskey likes what he has seen so far. Williams showed flashes of elite talent in training camp, then sputtered at the start of this season before putting up a 117.5 passer rating the last two games in wins over the Rams and Panthers.
“He’s an irrepressible spirit, and if he wants to get to know you, you don’t have a choice in the matter,” McCaskey said with a smile. “It’s been a lot of fun. He always says hello. He’s always friendly.
“And he’s fun to watch.”
Establishing an environment for Williams to thrive has been a focus for Poles and the organization since well before they drafted him. Williams was well aware of the Bears’ troubled history at quarterback, and the team was determined not to repeat its errors.
That infrastructure included everything from supplying a built-out roster loaded with expensive, proven talent to making sure there was cohesion within the coaching staff to guide him. The Bears also revamped some parts of their non-football staff to steer Williams through the scrutiny and demands that come with his stature.
“Everybody wants some of your time and, unfortunately, in order for him to do his job properly, he doesn’t have time for everyone,” McCaskey said. “We have to protect him. We have to act as buffers, and we have a good support system in place.”
McCaskey hit on several other pertinent topics in his rare media availability:
– He said the Bears want to build their stadium in a location where they can get “the best deal possible, where it’s most feasible,” and still are prioritizing the site just south of Soldier Field on Lake Michigan.
– Regarding president Kevin Warren’s targeted timeline of breaking ground in 2025 and opening in ’28, McCaskey mentioned the upcoming state legislature sessions in November, January and the spring and said, “In one of those sessions, we’re going to have to have some sort of enabling legislation to allow the project to move forward.”
– While he doubted coach Matt Eberflus’ prediction that NFL teams eventually play one international game per season, he championed the benefit of the Bears playing in their designated marketing territories of the United Kingdom and Spain because “both markets have avid fans of American football and of the Bears.”
– After years of fighting off “Hard Knocks,” McCaskey was pleased with how the show turned out this summer. He credited director Shannon Furman and her crew for being cooperative and professional and called it “a great series” showcasing human interest stories.
“I didn’t know that things like pet ferrets would capture the nation’s attention,” he quipped.
– McCaskey seemed unenthusiastic about the NFL allowing teams to sell up to 10% of their franchise stake to private equity firms. He was unsure the Bears would ever do that, though he wanted to analyze the option thoroughly.
– He said his mother, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, is doing well at 101.