Building a Strong Foundation
At Fanatics Fest in New York, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams opened up about his growing relationship with new head coach Ben Johnson. Williams highlighted the early efforts being made to establish a lasting bond between them. A dynamic that’s already drawing attention for its potential impact on Caleb Williams’ development.
“Ben Johnson is great and it’s not just Ben Johnson,” Williams said on Friday, via Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media. “We have a young staff slash old staff and we have a bunch of experience, bunch of new energy provided by the coaches and players. It’s been awesome. Ben Johnson, he uses some choice words every day toward me. He’s tough and I love him. He’s awesome. It’s great being around him.
“We hang out in his office and we just have lunch sometimes, things like that. We’re building this bond and relationship to be able to last a while. I know Bears fans, it’s year after year typically, or every other year, where coaches and quarterbacks specifically are in and out and our goal is to be here for a while.”
Williams expressed a clear desire to bring stability to a franchise that has long struggled to maintain consistent leadership at the quarterback and coaching positions.
Overcoming a History of Instability
The Bears’ tumultuous history with quarterbacks has loomed large for Williams. A forthcoming book reveals that he and his father, Carl Williams, had once considered avoiding Chicago due to the franchise’s instability. At the time, Johnson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, had yet to be hired by the Bears.
Despite the past concerns, Johnson seemed unbothered by the storyline, confident in the opportunity to help shift the narrative. Williams has also reaffirmed his commitment to leading the Bears organization forward.
Johnson’s Arrival and Coaching Reputation
Johnson joined the Bears in January after the team parted ways with Matt Eberflus during a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024. Known as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL, Johnson’s arrival has brought fresh optimism to Chicago.
During his rookie season, Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, he faced significant challenges, including being sacked a league-high 68 times in 17 games. The offense also lacked a 1,000-yard receiver.
Offseason Reinforcements
Determined to protect their quarterback and build a dynamic offense, the Bears made several key acquisitions during the offseason. The team traded for offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and signed center Drew Dalman. Additionally, they used their top three draft picks to add tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10 overall), wide receiver Luther Burden III (No. 39 overall), and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56 overall).
Looking Ahead to Training Camp
With Williams and Johnson preparing for their first season together, excitement is building at Halas Hall. Training camp kicks off on July 22, and all eyes will be on this promising quarterback-head coach duo as they work to redefine the Bears’ future.
