Caleb Williams probably thought he had a decent idea of what he was getting into with Ben Johnson. He, like everybody else, saw the incredible success the new Chicago Bears head coach had in Detroit and figured it would do wonders for the young quarterback. It is a safe assumption that Williams got a rude awakening once he saw what Johnson truly had in mind. He's experienced different playbooks in his career, from Lincoln Riley at USC to Shane Waldron last year. Nothing prepared him for what he got handed earlier this year.
Johnson is a different animal. His playbook is dense, detailed, and difficult. That isn't by accident. He designed it to be that way. According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, the Bears head coach refuses to cut corners. His intention this offseason was always to swamp his players, especially Williams.
New coach Ben Johnson didn’t tiptoe into Halas Hall. The two years he waited, and passed on other chances to become a head coach, gave the 39-year-old plenty of time to cultivate the plan he’s executing now, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s detailed and designed to be difficult, and the trial by fire the players were going to go through was always going to be hotter on the quarterback.
That started with what Johnson saw on tape from Williams while studying the 2024 season, and even going back to break down everything he did at Oklahoma and USC before that.
Williams isn't afraid of challenges.
He actively seeks them out, which is why he accepted coming to the Bears in the first place. Even so, the quarterback has gotten some nasty surprises early in training camp. Johnson refuses to hold his hand, throwing all sorts of tests his way. The goal is simple: force Williams to understand the importance of always having his eyes in the right place.
The period that covers the three aforementioned throws is what the Bears call their “Wake Up” period at the start of practice, where the defense sends pressure at the offense to give DC Dennis Allen’s unit the work it needs, and also tests Williams. It stresses Williams after the snap, yes, but more so it’s about what it’s forcing him to do before it, with what the quarterback casually refers to as P.S.P. (presnap procedure).
The Bears want to see the right checks. They want to see the right communication. They want to see Williams’s eyes in the right place. They know it’s not automatic.
Caleb Williams is finally getting the harsh lessons he needs.
Aside from general incompetence, one of the biggest issues with Matt Eberflus and his previous coaching was their unwillingness to be tough on the young quarterback. Too often, they seemed to tiptoe around him. Former offensive coordinator Thomas Brown mentioned that issue after he took over midseason as head coach. He said sometimes guys need to be willing to actually coach players. Don't be afraid to get in their faces and hold them accountable. Deliver harsh lessons on why things are done a certain way.
Johnson isn't doing all this to Caleb Williams because he's a sadist. It is meant to show the Bears quarterback that the NFL is hard. It is one of the hardest professional sports in existence to play. If the head coach doesn't prepare him for that reality, defenses will punish him until the quarterback's spirit is broken. Chicago has seen it happen too many times over the years. Johnson intends to find out if Williams can cut it or not.
