The Chicago Bears have gone through significant changes over the past few seasons, starting with selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick last year. This offseason, the team hired a new head coach in Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator from the Detroit Lions.
The Lions were an analytically minded team with Dan Campbell running the show, and it seems Johnson will be similar as a head coach with the Bears.
More news:Wild Mock Draft Has Browns Landing Abdul Carter and Shedeur Sanders
During the NFL league meetings, Johnson talked about what he would be emphasizing as a head coach. Estimated points is an analytical way to analyze how each affects both team's chances to win.
Estimated points added, or EPA, is the way to analyze how positive or negative a given play is. After analyzing recent trends, Johnson discussed how passing EPA specifically leads to wins.
"Whatever team has the higher passing game EPA at the end of the game, they generally win that game over 80 percent of the time."
He went on to specifically say completion percentage, yards after the catch, and limiting sacks are the main contributors he feels to a high passing EPA. All of those aspects are things Caleb Williams and the Bears offense need to improve on from last season.
Williams' completion percentage last season was just 62.5%, much lower than the top guys who hovered around the high sixties and low seventies.
He also took a ton of sacks, leading the NFL by a huge margin. He was sacked a whopping 68 times, with the next highest being C.J. Stroud with 52.
It is possible it was more on the offensive line than Williams, which led to the team adding three new interior offensive linemen, but Williams is also at fault.
More news:Myles Garrett Hints at Who Browns Should Take in NFL Draft
This offseason, helping Williams get the ball out quicker to increase his completion percentage, create more run-after-catch opportunities for a receiver like D.J. Moore (fifth in the NFL in yards after catch), and reduce sacks behind an improved offensive line seems to be the main goal for Johnson.
For a player as talented as Williams in terms of athleticism and arm talent, perfecting the little things should do wonders for the young quarterback. If Johnson can manage this in one offseason, the Bears offense could be scary next season.
Despite the lackluster numbers and being overshadowed by Jayden Daniels and even Drake Maye at times, Bears fans should be excited for next season with Ben Johnson at the helm.
For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins "Wants to Hurt" Aaron Rodgers
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins Making NFL Commentary Debut
Best Value Signings of NFL Free Agency
Bears Win Offseason With Top Free Agency Grade
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM.