Caleb Williams hype is climbing again, but the Bears still haven’t solved one key issue

The hype around Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is at an all-time high ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

This week, Williams was revealed as the Madden 27 cover athlete, marking the first time a Bears player has graced the cover of the iconic video game.

NFL analysts are also incredibly high on Williams entering 2026, as ESPN's Matt Bowen believes Chicago's quarterback will ascend to a new level and win the MVP award this season.

"The Bears QB is primed to play at a high level in 2026. Plus, he has a versatile and explosive group of pass catchers. The arrow is pointing up on Williams -- and Johnson's playcalling," Bowen wrote.

Bears still have a glaring issue despite Williams' hype

Williams has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and an MVP could be in his future. However, the Bears still have a glaring issue staring them in the face that they have yet to address.

Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are slated to be the Bears' top two receivers in 2026, and though both players have immense promise, Chicago lacks experience in the receiver room outside of Kalif Raymond and Scott Miller.

Raymond is best utilized on special teams as a returner and in a complementary role as a receiver, and Miller will be fighting for a roster spot. That means the Bears don't have an experienced receiver who can play meaningful snaps on offense and make an impact.

It would be ideal for Chicago to add a veteran playmaker for Williams before the start of the season, and luckily for them, the free-agent market is still filled with a bunch of capable receivers.

Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Deebo Samuel are just a few names that come to mind as potential fits for Chicago's offense in 2026. Out of these four, Diggs would be my favorite option.

Despite getting cut by the New England Patriots and dealing with some off-the-field issues this offseason, Diggs is coming off a 1,000-yard season in 2025 and was a key piece to New England's AFC-winning roster.

Diggs would be a solid security blanket for Williams, and his versatility to play in the slot and on the boundary is incredibly valuable. A receiving trio of Odunze, Burden, and Diggs would help Williams take the MVP leap many expect of him.

Overall, Williams could be in for a major breakout in 2026, but acquiring another dynamic receiver for the 2024 No. 1 overall pick would ensure that success is a guarantee this year.