Caleb Williams arrived in Chicago as a shotgun quarterback raised in spread concepts, RPOs, and tempo.
In fact, in his entire college career at USC, he attempted seven total passes from under center. Seven.
Even as a rookie in 2024, the Bears only asked him to do it 71 times.
So when Chicago hired Ben Johnson, a coordinator known for a system that lives under center, leans on the run, and weaponizes play-action, the reaction was: How on earth is that going to work for Caleb?
Because everything about Williams’ background suggested this was the one offense that should’ve slowed him down. Instead, as the weeks rolled on, the numbers began telling a completely different story.
On Monday, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky highlighted two numbers that show just how efficient Caleb Willaims has been in Johnson’s system: 3rd-highest QBR using play-action (80.0) and 4th-most passing yards from under center (795).
It’s the clearest possible sign that Williams is adapting faster, and more effectively, than anyone expected.
And it also says something about Johnson: he wasn’t hired to recreate USC for Caleb. He was hired to give him the coaching and structure he didn’t get in Year 1.
Chicago’s New Identity
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
Nothing Johnson is doing is revolutionary, and that’s kind of the point.
Play-action is the oldest cheat code in football, and for young quarterbacks, it simplifies the picture dramatically. It causes defenders to step forward which makes passing lanes widen and then throws become cleaner and easier.
And under center makes the fake even more convincing. Defenses have to honor the run (especially Chicago’s surprisingly good run game led by D’Andre Swift and rookie breakout Kyle Monangai) so linebackers freeze and then everything opens up.
For Caleb Williams, one of the league’s most naturally gifted passers, space is a gift. And Ben Johnson is manufacturing it.
Chicago’s offense is suddenly harder to predict (especially with Ben Joshnon’s trick plays), harder to key on, and harder to defend. And Williams looks more comfortable each week operating a scheme he shouldn’t be this good at yet.
The Shock Factor
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
Most young quarterbacks drown when they’re asked to learn three systems in three years (Luke Getsy, Shane Waldron, Ben Johnson). Most young quarterbacks struggle when asked to abandon everything that made them great in college.
Caleb Williams is doing the opposite, and it’s a major reason the Bears suddenly sit first in the NFC North.
Chicago made a bold, counterintuitive bet: to unlock their rookie QBs ceiling, they had to strip him out of his comfort zone. They handed him an offense built on timing, patience, discipline, and footwork he didn’t yet have, and trusted he could grow into it.
They were right. And the wild part is that this isn’t close to the finished product.
As Williams continues to learn the system and improve every week and as Chicago’s receivers finally start playing with more consistent timing, this offense has another gear it hasn’t touched yet.
Cause the shocking part is that the Bears are only getting started.
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