Bears coach Ben Johnson spoke to quarterback Caleb Williams last week, shortly after a book excerpt detailed how he and his father Carl preferred he land with the Vikings before last year’s draft.
Johnson, who was hired eight months after the Bears drafted Williams, said that his experience with the quarterback has shown no indication that his mind was elsewhere.
“From my four months on the job, he has been outstanding to work with,” he said. “We’re just focusing on getting a little bit better every day.”
The Bears did not make Williams available to speak after Wednesday’s OTA practice at Halas Hall.
Carl Williams, Caleb’s father, told author Seth Wickersham that he didn’t want his son to be drafted first overall by the Bears. He said Chicago was where “quarterbacks go to die.”
Johnson lit up when asked about that statement.
“I love it, I love it,” he said. “I love the opportunity to come in here and change that narrative. That’s where great stories are written.”
Caleb Williams grew fond of the Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell during the predraft process and was intrigued by the possibility of throwing to receiver Justin Jefferson. Knowing the Bears would draft him regardless — the team didn’t bring in quarterbacks Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy for a Halas Hall visit —Caleb Williams decided he “wasn’t ready to nuke the city,” the book said. Williams decided in April 2024 after visiting Halas Hall that he was content being a Bear.