Jonah Jackson admires Caleb Williams’ ability to overcome hardship as a Bears rookie.

In the ever-demanding landscape of the National Football League, success doesn’t come easily—especially not for rookie quarterbacks thrust into high-pressure situations. For Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the challenges awaiting him in Chicago are as daunting as they are exciting. But for Bears veteran guard Jonah Jackson, who signed with the team in the offseason after four solid years with the Detroit Lions, Williams has already shown something that matters more than raw talent or arm strength: resilience.

“Look, we’ve all seen what the kid can do on the field,” Jackson told reporters after an OTA workout last week. “But what I’ve come to admire is the way he’s handled everything off the field. The pressure, the spotlight, the criticism—he’s not folding. He’s stepping up.”

That sort of sentiment is growing inside Halas Hall, where a new chapter is being written. And as Chicago looks to climb out of the NFL’s basement, the relationship between veterans like Jackson and rookies like Williams could shape the Bears’ future.

A New Era in Chicago

The Chicago Bears haven’t had a quarterback like Caleb Williams in decades—if ever. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner arrives from USC with expectations sky-high, labeled a generational talent by analysts and fans alike. With his rocket arm, elite improvisational ability, and charisma, Williams is seen as the franchise savior.

But Williams’ road to Chicago has not been a fairy tale. After an electrifying 2022 Heisman campaign, he endured a turbulent 2023 season. His USC team underperformed, finishing outside of the College Football Playoff, and the criticism came fast and furious. Questions about his leadership, body language, and even commitment to the game surfaced unfairly in media narratives. Then came the NFL Draft process, where he again faced relentless scrutiny—from evaluations of his father’s influence to his rumored demands about team ownership stakes (a claim he later laughed off).

“Most 22-year-olds aren’t built for that kind of spotlight,” Jackson said. “But Caleb? Man, he keeps it cool. He keeps it focused. That’s something you don’t teach.”

Jonah Jackson: Veteran Guard, Locker Room Leader

Jackson isn’t just any lineman. A fifth-round pick in 2020 out of Ohio State, he quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most consistent interior blockers. During his tenure in Detroit, Jackson was instrumental in the Lions’ offensive resurgence. When free agency opened in March, the Bears made him one of their top targets—signing him to a three-year, $36 million deal with the idea that he’d help stabilize the offensive line and mentor younger players.

Now, Jackson finds himself as one of the veterans tasked with helping Williams transition to the NFL. And he’s taken that responsibility seriously.

“When you’ve got a young QB, everything we do up front matters that much more,” Jackson said. “Communication, protection, support. But it’s more than football. You gotta have his back when the cameras are off too.”

Sources within the Bears’ facility say Jackson has been a key sounding board for Williams. He sits next to him in meetings, encourages him to speak up, and has helped bridge the gap between the rookie and some of the more established veterans in the locker room.

“He’s just a dude you want on your side,” Williams reportedly told a teammate about Jackson. “Straight up.”

The Weight of a City

Chicago hasn’t had a 4,000-yard passer in its entire franchise history. The city has longed for a quarterback with both the arm talent and the moxie to match legends in other markets. Williams knows the burden he carries—but he’s not shying away from it.

At his introductory press conference, Williams made headlines not by making brash promises, but by acknowledging the challenge.

“I know what this city’s been through. I know what the fans expect,” he said. “I’m not here to be perfect. I’m here to put the work in and earn their trust.”

That attitude—humbled, yet hungry—is part of what has won over teammates like Jackson.

“Some guys come in thinking they’ve already made it,” Jackson said. “Caleb ain’t one of them. He listens. He asks questions. He works. You respect that.”

Williams has spent extra hours in the film room, often staying late to study protections with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and Jackson. It’s a gesture that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The Rough Spots—and Growth Moments

Of course, the road hasn’t been smooth. In early OTAs, Williams reportedly struggled with timing and pocket presence during his first full-team reps. There were tipped passes, miscommunications with receivers, and a fumbled snap. The media quickly pounced.

Jackson? He had a different view.

“Man, it’s April,” he laughed. “That’s what these practices are for. Let the kid figure it out now so by September, he’s ready.”

Jackson pointed out how Williams didn’t get discouraged. Instead, he reviewed tape, asked coaches detailed questions, and immediately bounced back the next day.

“That’s the sign of a quarterback who’s going to make it,” Jackson said. “Not the guy who never messes up—but the guy who doesn’t flinch when he does.”

Williams’ response impressed coaches too. Head coach Matt Eberflus praised his “mental stamina” and said, “He’s exactly who we hoped he’d be when we drafted him.”

Chemistry in the Trenches

Quarterbacks and offensive linemen live in symbiosis. One protects; the other leads. For Jackson and Williams, their relationship is developing on and off the field. They’ve shared dinners, film study sessions, and long talks about leadership.

“Jonah’s helped me understand how to communicate in the NFL,” Williams said in a recent sit-down with the team’s in-house media team. “He’s got this presence where he can tell you the truth, but you know it’s coming from a good place.”

Jackson, in turn, said the chemistry is natural.

“We’re both competitors. Both want to win. But we’re also both real with each other,” Jackson explained. “If I miss a block, he lets me know. If he holds the ball too long, I let him know. That honesty builds trust.”

Rebuilding the Bears—Together

The Bears have surrounded Williams with more talent than any rookie QB in recent memory. D.J. Moore returns after a 1,300-yard campaign. Keenan Allen joins the fold as a savvy veteran. Rome Odunze, the team’s second first-round pick, adds explosive potential. And with a revamped offensive line featuring Jackson, Braxton Jones, and Darnell Wright, there’s hope in Chicago for the first time in years.

But expectations come with pressure. The Bears’ fanbase has been burned before, from the Jay Cutler era to the failed Justin Fields experiment. Everyone wants to know: Is this the one?

Jackson has an answer.

“I’m not going to sit here and say Caleb’s going to the Hall of Fame tomorrow,” he said. “But I’ll say this—he’s got what it takes. And more importantly, he wants it.”

Leading Through Humility

What might be most striking about Williams, according to Jackson, is how little he talks about himself.

“You’d think the No. 1 pick, NIL millionaire, Hollywood smile—he’d be full of himself,” Jackson said. “But the dude’s humble. He asks you about your family. He remembers your kid’s name. That goes a long way.”

Veterans in the locker room have started to rally behind their young signal-caller not because of his highlight reel, but because of his demeanor.

“He leads by example,” said tight end Cole Kmet. “He stays late. He holds himself accountable. It’s not about flash. It’s about substance.”

The Road Ahead

Training camp is still months away, and Williams hasn’t yet faced an NFL defense at full speed. The games haven’t begun. The real tests are coming—and they’ll be relentless.

But for now, those inside the building are encouraged. And players like Jackson—who know what it takes to weather the NFL storm—believe Williams is the kind of player worth protecting, fighting for, and believing in.

“I’ve played with some good quarterbacks,” Jackson said. “And I’ll tell you—Caleb’s got that thing. That fire. That focus. That bounce-back. He’s not just trying to be great—he’s trying to earn it.”

In a city hungry for hope, that might be exactly what the Bears need.

Caleb Williams isn’t guaranteed to be a success. The NFL rarely offers such certainty. But if you’re looking for early signs—the kind that can’t be measured at the Combine or captured in highlight reels—Jonah Jackson sees them clearly.

“This league’ll test you in ways you never expect,” Jackson said. “But Caleb? He doesn’t run from it. He embraces it. And that’s why I think he’s going to be just fine.”

For the Chicago Bears, a franchise searching for stability under center for generations, that belief from a veteran like Jackson might mean everything.