The Chicago Bears 2024 season was a 5-12 fever dream—think The Revenant but with more snow and fewer Oscar nods. Caleb Williams? He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 TDs, and got sacked 68 times (a stat that’d make even Saw’s Jigsaw wince). But his lone bright spot? Kerry Joseph, the coach who turned Williams’ ‘raw talent’ into Top Chef-worthy potential. Joseph, a CFL legend turned QB whisperer, wasn’t just teaching footwork; he was building a bond. “He wants to be great,” Joseph said of Williams, like a proud dad at a peewee game.

Sometimes, the student becomes the teacher… but what happens when the teacher rides off into the Texas sunset? The Bears’ offseason has been less optimism and more chaos. Just as rookie QB Williams was settling into his ‘face of the franchise’ role, his Yoda, quarterbacks coach Joseph, bolted for the neon lights of Austin. Cue the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme. Let’s unpack this gridiron drama—with a side of deep-dish irony.

But plot twist: Texas swooped in faster than a Patrick Mahomes no-look pass. Joseph, the guy who once taught Williams to slide on a literal slip ’n slide (‘It’s about survival, kid’), is now Arch Manning’s new hype man in Austin. For Williams, it’s like losing Mr. Miyagi mid-tournament. “I have to adapt,” Williams shrugged, channeling his inner Jedi. But let’s be real: losing your mentor to college football’s royal family stings worse than a Chicago winter.

Why Joseph’s Exit Hurts: Joseph wasn’t just a coach; he was Williams’ human security blanket. When the Bears’ O-line crumbled like a stale deep-dish crust, Joseph’s voice was the calm in the storm. Now? Williams faces 2025 with a new play-caller and a fanbase chanting ‘Do Something!’ louder than a South Park meme. The Bears’ QB room isn’t just rebuilding—it’s rebooting Lost’s final season.

The Duvernay-Williams’ dilemma

While Williams mourns his mentor, the Bears’ front office hit the gas like Fast & Furious extras. Enter Devin Duvernay, the wide receiver signed to a one-year deal. Duvernay’s résumé? Two Pro Bowls, a 4.39 40-yard dash, and a return game so slick it’d make Devin Hester blush. “I play with a chip,” Duvernay warned, sounding like Creed’s Adonis stepping into the ring.

But let’s keep it 💯: Duvernay’s 2024 stats with the Jaguars (11 catches, 79 yards) won’t scare DBs. What he does bring? A Swiss Army knife skill set. Think Cordarrelle Patterson 2.0—jet sweeps, punt returns, and enough YAC to make a linebacker cry. For a Bears offense that ranked 28th in explosiveness, Duvernay’s the spark they need. Ryan Poles isn’t playing chess; he’s playing Mario Kart, and Duvernay’s the golden mushroom.

Chicago’s obsession with speed isn’t new. From Hester’s “Windy City Flyer” days to Duvernay’s Texas twinkle-toes, the Bears crave playmakers who turn 3rd-and-long into TikTok highlights. But here’s the rub: Duvernay’s arrival doesn’t fix the O-line. Williams still needs more protection than the Mona Lisa. Until then, every snap is a game of Russian Roulette—with 300-pounders as the bullets.

Williams’ rookie year was a baptism by fire—or more accurately, by NFC North pass rushers. Losing Joseph? That’s the football gods testing his resolve. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Williams thrives in chaos. Remember that 2021 Red River Rally? Down 28-7, he turned burnt orange into Sooner schadenfreude. As for Duvernay? Maybe he’s here to save the Bears. Or maybe he’s here to remind them that speed kills—and sometimes, so does hope. The Bears’ 2025 season hinges on two truths: Williams’ growth and whether Duvernay can outrun the ghosts of seasons past.

In Chicago, they’re praying Williams stays on his growth trajectory—preferably upright. His first true test of leadership isn’t on the field—it’s proving he can thrive without the mentor who helped shape him.