Overview of What really was Caleb Williams' 2025 season? & More lingering questions
This episode is the final installment of The Athletic’s offseason “lingering questions” series, and it tackles three big NFL debates: how to really evaluate Caleb Williams’ 2025 season, whether the Bengals’ offense is already Super Bowl-caliber, and what to expect from Patrick Graham as the Steelers’ new defensive coordinator. The conversation leans analytical rather than hype-driven, using film study and stats to separate real growth from narrative momentum.
Caleb Williams: exciting star potential, but not a finished product
The hosts push back on the idea that Caleb Williams’ late-season highlights mean everything is already solved. Their view is more nuanced:
What stands out as elite
- Williams made a huge number of “1% plays” — throws and escapes that very few quarterbacks can make.
- His arm talent, improvisation, and ability to throw from different angles are already special.
- He improved significantly from year one to year two in:
- avoiding sacks
- handling downfield throws
- operating more comfortably within the offense
What still needs work
- Processing speed: He can be a tick slow at times to recognize and deliver throws.
- Decision tempo: He can also be too fast when pressure flashes, bailing early instead of staying composed.
- Ball placement: This was the biggest concern. He often leaves receivers without a clean shot, turning catches into tougher contested plays or incompletions.
- Out-of-structure efficiency: The “schoolyard hero” image is somewhat misleading — his scramble-drill and off-platform plays were not as efficient as the reputation suggests.
Bottom line on Caleb
The group is optimistic, but not blindly so. They believe he can become a top-five-ish quarterback if his growth continues, especially under Ben Johnson, but they also think Chicago will need more than just flashes: Williams has to become more precise and consistent.
Bengals offense: good enough to contend, but too predictable
The core question here is whether Cincinnati’s offense alone is strong enough to support a Super Bowl run if the defense becomes merely competent. The answer is basically yes — but with important caveats.
Why the offense can absolutely be a contender
- Joe Burrow + Ja’Marr Chase + Tee Higgins gives them elite top-end talent.
- Even with Burrow not fully healthy late last season, the offense produced at a high level.
- The offensive line and run game improved in the second half of the year.
- They were more efficient than many realize, especially in the back half of the season.
What limits the ceiling
- The offense is still too siloed:
- too much shotgun
- too much gun duo / inside zone
- not enough under-center variety
- not enough play action
- Defenses are often willing to let them run the ball because they’re terrified of the passing game.
- The offense needs more ways to win in the playoffs, where predictability gets exposed.
What changes could unlock more
- More under-center snaps
- More play action
- More dynamic run concepts
- Better use of 12 personnel, especially if Eric All returns healthy
- More structural variety without completely changing the identity
Bottom line on Cincinnati
The hosts think the Bengals are already close enough to Super Bowl caliber offensively that a better defense could make them a real contender. But they also stress that Cincinnati should still evolve structurally, because “good enough” regular-season efficiency may not hold up in January.
Patrick Graham and the Steelers: a promising hire with a flexible defensive mind
The final segment asks what Patrick Graham will be for Pittsburgh now that he’s taking over the Steelers’ defense.
Why Graham is interesting
- He has a long track record as a defensive coordinator and has shown he can adapt to personnel.
- His Raiders defenses changed significantly depending on the roster and coaching environment.
- He’s not tied to one rigid philosophy — he’ll alter his scheme to fit what he has.
What his Raiders tenure showed
- 2025 was very different from prior Graham defenses:
- more zone
- more stacked boxes
- less man coverage
- more base looks
- Earlier versions were more aggressive, more man-heavy, and more blitz-oriented.
- Even with limited talent in Vegas, his defenses generally finished respectably.
Why Pittsburgh might be a strong fit
- The Steelers have more defensive talent than Graham has typically coached.
- Their personnel seems well-suited for:
- pressure packages
- man coverage
- disguises
- hiding weaker linebacker play
- The fit could help players like Patrick Queen and Peyton Wilson by simplifying their responsibilities.
Bottom line on Graham
The hosts come away more excited than skeptical. They see Graham as a coach who can make the Steelers’ defense more coherent and more dangerous, especially if he leans into pressure, disguise, and man coverage.
Key takeaways
- Caleb Williams: elite traits are real, but ball placement, timing, and efficiency still need to improve.
- Bengals offense: already good enough to contend, but better structure and more variety could unlock another level.
- Patrick Graham: a flexible defensive coordinator who may be a very good fit for Pittsburgh’s personnel.
Notable stats and observations
- Williams finished 22nd in passing success rate among qualified quarterbacks.
- He had major year-over-year improvement in:
- sack avoidance
- downfield passing
- The Bears’ offense had lots of missed opportunities due to:
- throwaways
- drops
- marginally missed contested catches
- The Bengals’ 2025 offensive profile was strong, but still overly dependent on a narrow set of concepts.
- Graham’s defenses historically perform better when he’s allowed to be flexible rather than forced into a rigid system.
Final thought
This episode is a good example of offseason football analysis at its best: not just asking who was good, but asking what those performances actually mean going forward. The overall tone is measured optimism — Caleb Williams is trending up, the Bengals can still win big, and Patrick Graham may quietly be one of the more interesting hires of the offseason.