Caleb Williams Ben Johnson Chicago Bears Fear
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images // © Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Caleb Williams did not want to play for the Chicago Bears but new head coach Ben Johnson is not worried about the past. He does not see this latest report about his new franchise quarterback in the same way as the general public.
This is a new era for the organization. The 39-year-old believes what happened in 2023 and 2024 are pillars on which to build, not fears on which to panic.
Williams was always going to be the top player of interest for NFL organizations after he won the Heisman Trophy. However, nobody knew what the Bears were going to do with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft because they already had Justin Fields on the roster. They chose to draft the former USC signal-caller anyway and traded their incumbent starter to Pittsburgh.
According to a new report from ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, neither Williams nor his family wanted him to end up in the Windy City. They had worries about the Bears’ offense and then-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. They were worried about the history of quarterbacks in Chicago.
Carl Williams, Caleb’s dad, even went so far as to say it is the “place quarterbacks go to die.” And they were absolutely correct about their concerns. Williams was set up to fail as a rookie based on an alarming anecdote about game film. It was an uphill battle upon arrival.
That was then. This is now. Waldren is gone. Matt Eberflus was replaced by Ben Johnson as head coach.
Colin Cowherd asked Johnson about this new report. He sees all of the Williams family’s initial “fears” as opportunity.
You talk about fears and I don’t see it quite the same way. I see this as what a great opportunity we have to do something that’s never been done. There hasn’t been a 4,000-yard passer here in this franchise, and I think Caleb’s going to be the first one. One of many seasons to come where he’s able to accomplish that feat. So, I see a chance for greatness here for him.
— Ben Johnson
There is a new energy in Chicago and Johnson fully believes Williams is glad to be a part of this transition. Even if the Bears were undesirable when he was drafted, the organization looks very different today than it did a year ago.
Colin Cowherd referenced this during his interview with Ben Johnson today discussing Caleb Williams. https://t.co/KqvHJft7x6 pic.twitter.com/gAhro0KqYd
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) May 15, 2025
Ben Johnson is going to use Caleb Williams in a system that allows him to thrive. That is very different than the approach to 2024, which asked Williams to conform.
They also talked about trying to give Caleb Williams layups in the passing game.
Ben Johnson: "Caleb was taken as a high draft pick because of that playmaking ability… We don't want to neuter that as well…" pic.twitter.com/6ifI4TZzuZ
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) May 15, 2025
The buzz in the building is even louder now than it was last April. Williams is ready to prove why he was worthy of the No. 1 pick. Johnson loves everything about his new signal-caller.
Ben Johnson on seeing why Caleb Williams was the No. 1 pick: "That's every day… Today, it was a post route that he probably threw it 60 yards right on the money. A few days ago it was a keeper… just able to flip his hips and fling that thing right on the money." pic.twitter.com/jEog164Wls
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) May 15, 2025
A lot of fans and analysts consider Chicago to be a sleeping giant. Caleb Williams is the primary catalyst for those beliefs. An organization that was/is known as a quarterback graveyard has new life. We’ll see.
Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar