The success of the Chicago Bears willbe predicated on the success of Caleb Williams. CoachBen Johnson strategically chose not to start Williams this past Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Instead, thebackup QBs took command as the Bears lost to the Dolphins 24-22. Afterward, questions arose about Johnson's intentions with Williams.
Thosequestions were raised by Colin Cowherd and Nick Wright on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Tuesday.
“My take is everybody but Tom Brady played this weekend and Caleb Williams didn't,” Cowherd said. “He's not quite there.We're asking him to do stuff under center, and it was strategicin notplaying him. “
Wright chimed in with his analysis that Williams will come around by the holiday season.
“Is this Ben Johnson protecting Caleb?” Wright asked. “Is this Ben Johnson protecting himself?I do think it will be a little rocky early as this transition takes place, but I think by ThanksgivingColin, Caleb, Ibelieve is going to look like the player you and I both believed he would be.”
How long will it take for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson to click in Chicago? @colincowherd @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/NErMHzWHyK
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 12, 2025
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The Bears' next preseason game will be against the Buffalo Bills this upcoming Sunday.
The Bears need Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson to be on the samepage
From the timeJohnsonwas hired as head coach, the focus was on Williams. After all, Williams is coming off a rookie season thatwas seen as vastly underperforming.
During the offseason,Johnson has come to Williams' defense many times. Most notably, during the hoopla surrounding Williams' reluctance to go to Chicago, as alleged in Seth Wickersham's upcoming book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback”.
As far as criticism goes, Johnson has levied his fair share at Williams and company. Recently, heblasted Williams and the offense for a sloppy practice during training camp.
In the end, the Bears need their star quarterback and head coach to work in tandem. Everything filters through them.
a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline">Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture.