Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams have an exciting season ahead, but they just got a reality check.
The Chicago Bears are all the talk this season in the NFL and for good reason. As the Bears prep for their 2025-26 schedule, there’s a lot for them to be excited about in the Windy City and Bears country, especially since the team has a new head coach in Ben Johnson, who, of course, comes from the Detroit Lions.
Johnson is already making big strides with the Chicago Bears, and that includes with every member of this team, but especially quarterback Caleb Williams. Even aside from Williams, just looking at the second stringers and how well they did in the preseason, it’s obvious that Johnson is already making some magic in Chicago.
The Chicago Bears are coming up on their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, September 8, at Soldier Field. There’s already a lot of good talk about how far Williams has come during the offseason and how Johnson has disciplined him and make him a better quarterback.
Chicago Bears Have Something to Prove
Even though Johnson and Williams have made major strides during the offseason, they both still have something to prove, but that’s OK. Going into the new season, they’re getting a bit of a reality check that when it comes to NFL rankings, where they’re likely going to be low on the tally, at least in the beginning of the season. That’s because they’re both still fairly unknown. For Johnson, this is his first time being a head coach in the NFL, and for Williams, this is only his second season on the NFL field.
One shining example of this comes in the form of a reality check from Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, who has released his quarterback power roster for Week 1. Williams is No. 22 on the tally, and Benjamin says that these first games are going to be crucial for Williams and Johnson.
“There might not be a bigger boom-or-bust candidate under center,” he notes in the September 3 feature. “After a simultaneously manic and determined debut, Williams’ next steps may come down to how he meshes with new coach Ben Johnson.”
So, even if Williams deserves to be high on this tally, and even if Johnson should start out the season being considered one of the strongest coaches in the NFL, the reality is that it’s going to take some time to earn that respect.
Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams is Coming Along
Johnson is an honest person, and he has been blunt when talking about the Bears’ progress in the past. That’s why it meant so much more when he praised Williams during a conference on Wednesday, September 3.
“We’re going to grow together,” Johnson said during the conference. “This offense is going to grow together with him, and you know, there’ll some bumpy steps along the way. But that’s OK. That’s the nature of doing it. I feel really good about where he’s at right now. There’s no reason why we can’t win this year.”
Williams also sounded very confident in Johnson, saying that he has “the utmost confidence in Ben — his coaching ability, his play calling, and all of that.”
So, Johnson and Williams have done the hard work together. Now, it’s time for them to show the world what this work can bring, and the Bears hope it’s a championship.