The Chicago Bears have plenty of good things going for them right now. They have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL despite no clear star at running back. Their offensive line has improved significantly thanks to the arrivals of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson. Dennis Allen has the defense leading the league in takeaways despite a slew of injuries. These are all key reasons the team is 7-3. However, most know that the pillar around which all of this spins is the partnership between quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson.
So far this season, the results have been mixed. Williams had 17 total touchdowns with just four interceptions, has only been sacked 16 times, and has five 4th quarter comebacks. He’s also only completing 59% of his passes and still tends to hold the ball longer than he should. Johnson has been careful about criticizing his quarterback too much, but some wonder what their relationship is like. Dianna Russini of The Athletic appeared on Hoge & Jahns to talk about it.
She revealed the thoughts of a top NFL general manager on the situation. He believes Williams is trending in the right direction. However, there is a concern about whether Johnson has the patience to let the process play out.
Caleb Williams isn’t in immediate danger, but the leash isn’t infinite.
His numbers aren’t actually that much better than they were last season as a rookie. His passing touchdown total is practically identical. The completion percentage is actually worse. You must remember that Johnson operates with a mathematical brain. He crafts plays that are meant to be run a very specific way. Having a quarterback who lets them break down because he doesn’t get the ball out on time must be frustrating. It feels like the Bears have left a lot of points on the field because of this.
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The good news is that Caleb Williams has made significant progress in key areas. A big one is his pre-snap operation. He has a much stronger grasp of the offensive system, can identify what defenses are showing, and knows how to counter them. That was particularly apparent against Minnesota last Sunday. If he can become just a little less lenient on his mobility, things should start clicking.
Johnson is willing to be patient. Winning certainly helps. If that changes, it could lead to tension.