People struggled to understand the thinking. Caleb Williams was learning a completely new offense this year. He’s still a young quarterback. Wouldn’t it make sense to get him some live reps in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins? Even if it’s just one or two series. In the end, head coach Ben Johnson chose not to. Williams and eight other starters didn’t play in the game, while Tyson Bagent started the first half. No satisfying answers surfaced during the game about the reasoning behind the decision.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune finally provided some context. Johnson got the starters together before the game and simulated game situations for an entire hour.
I arrived at the stadium just after 8 a.m. to watch. Caleb Williams was joined by wide receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift. After an extended stretching period they had a 57-minute workout with Johnson directing the entire operation.
By my count, a total of 87 plays were run. Now, they were routes on air as there were no defensive players on the field. Johnson — and all of the offensive coaches — had a script. Williams would stand next to Johnson, who would give him the play. Then, the quarterback simulated a huddle with the player (only one ran a route on each snap) and gave the play call. They’d break the huddle, go to the line of scrimmage, Williams would simulate pre-snap actions and then the play would be run…
This is not what you’d call normal.
Biggs admitted that he’s never seen a head coach do something like that in his decades-long tenure as a beat writer. It showed how dedicated Johnson was to Williams’ ongoing development. He even explained his reasoning for the approach after the game.
I’ve seen plenty of pregame workouts for starters who were sitting out preseason games in the past. I’ve never seen the head coach running the show for basically an hour. This was hands-on and direct communication from Johnson, the play caller, to Williams…
…“There is no substitute for real live bullets, I get that, but at the same time, when you can accumulate 70-plus reps in a day, that’s pretty good. That goes a long way in terms of where you want to go with the connection with the quarterback and his pass catchers. I wish I could do that every day with him or every other day with him, to be quite frank with you. It was a good time to do it.”
Caleb Williams is in capable hands.
Just because he didn’t suit up for this preseason game doesn’t mean Johnson neglected him. The Bears starter got extensive work in the joint practice on Friday against Miami. Then, the head coach made sure to get him some extra work for an hour before the game. Caleb Williams did not lack for work and preparation once. People might’ve preferred seeing him in the game, but they can’t say he wasn’t prepared. He’ll get his live snaps soon enough. Most likely this weekend against the Buffalo Bills. You can’t say that Johnson doesn’t have a plan. He obviously believes this approach is best for his quarterback. It is why the Bears hired him. His expertise is far superior to that of anybody else in the building and everyone watching at home.
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