The Chicago Bears‘ 2024 campaign probably couldn’t have gone any worse, but their prospects are far rosier a few months into the offseason.
Head coach Ben Johnson spoke to media members during this week’s mandatory minicamp and heralded quarterback Caleb Williams and his approach to practice under the new staff thus far.
[Williams is] committed to learning the offense. We’re not where we need to be yet as a team, he understands that. Any chance he gets to get a few more full-speed reps, sounds like he wants them.
There is always a throw or two every single day. The movement stuff outside of the pocket, it’s what we thought coming into town here — the ability to create.
Sometimes you get wrapped up when you’re in the multiple play call game, being in the perfect play all the time for the perfect coverage, that look of the defense. And really with him, it doesn’t matter so much what the play call is. If it’s the perfect play, then it’s great, it’s there. If it’s not, then he’s able to find a way to make it work. So, I think there’s a little bit of that that’s going on right now and figuring that out.
Caleb Williams Didn’t Progress as Much as Bears Hoped During Rookie Season
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams talks with head coach Ben Johnson during practice.
Johnson’s description of Williams is what Bears fans expected to see during the QB’s rookie campaign out of USC last season.
However, tumult on the previous coaching staff that ended in two high-profile firings exacerbated injury issues and generally poor play across much of the offensive line. All of that combined to contribute significantly to a 5-12 year, which included a 10-game losing streak.
Williams hung tough and put up north of 3,500 passing yards, 20 TDs and just six INTs. However, he also held onto the football too long and took more sacks than any signal caller in the entire league (68 across 17 games started). Williams also displayed frequent frustration with both his quality of protection and the general direction of the offense.
Chicago’s front office made a concerted effort to select a coach in Johnson who can help Williams catch up in terms of development with players like Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, both of whom were considerably improved from Week 1 to Week 18 and led their respective teams to playoff berths during their rookie seasons.
Bears Have Improved Roster Around Caleb Williams Significantly in 2025
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Beyond Johnson’s expertise, quarterback coaching prowess and offensive scheming/game-planning skills, the Bears also invested heavily in improving the personnel around Williams heading into his sophomore NFL season.
Chicago traded for two offensive guards and signed a center in free agency, all of whom are likely to start in 2025, completely revamping the interior of the offensive line.
The Bears also drafted tight end Colston Loveland No. 10 overall and slot wide receiver Luther Burden III with the No. 39 pick, adding two legitimate receiving threats to the pass attack.
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