(670 The Score) Rather than easing Bears second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, head coach Ben Johnson elected to challenge him.
That stemmed from the 24-year-old Williams, in whom Johnson recognized a rare desire for greatness. With that, Johnson has pushed Williams in practice and believes the payoff is coming.
“The standard has been set, the bar has been set high,” Johnson told the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday morning. “He has said that he wants to be not just one of the best, top five quarterback in this league, but he wants to have a legacy that lasts for a long time. So, we’re coaching him that way. We’re approaching it that way. That’s not going to change. Is he going to be a finished product here in Year 2? No, he’s going to continue to get better year in and year out. And it’s a process. We’re very clear on that. There is a little bit of grace here as we go through it. We know he’s learning. He’s going to take his bumps. But at the same time, as long as we’re not making the same mistakes twice, we’re going to be right on track and be just fine.
“Come into work every single day with a great attitude. His attitude is contagious to the people around him. So, being positive, willing to learn, being coachable, those things go a long way for not just this season but his long-term process.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions as a rookie last season. But his first year in the NFL was filled with adversity, largely coming around him as the Bears struggled.
Johnson was hired by the Bears in January in large part due to how he could connect with Williams.
The Bears kick off the 2025 regular season Monday, Sept. 8, when they host the Vikings at Soldier Field.