Ben Johnson's Fascinating Response On Biggest Concern About Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams didn't have a terrible rookie year. He threw for 3500 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The fact he did that despite his head coach and offensive coordinator both getting fired midseason is a minor miracle. Yet some people act like it was an unmitigated disaster. It wasn't perfect, mind you. One glaring issue overshadowed everything else. There had always been a concern about Williams' tendency to hold the ball, waiting for big play opportunities. Many wondered if he could play on time within an offense. Taking 68 sacks didn't help his case. Some are skeptical whether Ben Johnson can tackle this problem.

The new Bears head coach has worked with one type of quarterback in his NFL career. They are your classic pocket passers like Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. They understand how to process at high speeds, distributing the ball on time to the right targets. Williams is the first improviser he's worked with. It isn't as simple as telling him to just hang in the pocket. That isn't his game. Johnson was asked whether he feels the Bears quarterback can play on time. His response was unexpected.

Ben Johnson isn't putting everything on the quarterback.

That is a tendency people tend to have. It's such an important position that any time something goes wrong, the first instinct is to ask what teh quarterback did wrong. Ben Johnson isn't making that mistake. A successful offense is about having all 11 guys doing their jobs. Asking a quarterback to be able to find his third and fourth read consistently is bad offense. Good offense is when the first or second options find ways to get open. Johnson is making it clear that D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland are responsible for executing their assignments as much as Williams is for delivering the pass.

Goff's resurgence in Detroit wasn't all about him flipping a magic switch. It came from guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams giving up openings to make a play. The fans and media might put it all on Williams. Johnson won't see it that way.