LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – As a prized high school quarterback prospect five years ago, Caleb Williams struck up a connection with then-Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley.
Williams committed to the Oklahoma program in large part because of his belief in Riley. He later followed Riley as a transfer to USC, where Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 under Riley’s guidance before eventually heading to Chicago as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 23-year-old Williams now has a new mentor in head coach Ben Johnson, whom the Bears hired in January. In his second NFL season, Williams is excited about the pairing. He recognizes that Johnson can be a key figure in his development, just like Riley was.
Williams and Johnson began their work Monday morning with the beginning of the Bears’ offseason program at Halas Hall.
“Us growing together is key, starting now,” Williams said. “Him pushing me is key. I know that, and he knows that. Him pushing me. Because as he said before, it’s a QB-driven league. So, being able to have that position right on every team, that’s why that position is so important in the draft or (teams) trying to get the QBs in this day and age of the game, I would say is because it is so QB-driven. And if you have that position right, it helps with a bunch of different things.
“Building that bond, him pushing me and us growing together for years to come is going to fun. I can’t wait and to be able to help me learn more about ball because he’s super smart, super sharp and grow and progress in those ways.”
As a rookie in 2024, Williams completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. His first year in the NFL was also marred by changes around him.
The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Nov. 12 and then fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 amid an eventual 10-game losing streak. Eberflus’ departure represented the first time the franchise had ever dismissed a head coach in the middle of a season. By the end of the season, Williams had worked with three different offensive coordinators in the span of a few months.
Johnson was hired by Chicago after he directed a dynamic offense in Detroit, where he helped revive quarterback Jared Goff’s career. The Lions had the top-scoring offense in the NFL in 2024 and ranked second in total offense.
"There’s no doubt Caleb played a large component into my decision," Johnson said in January. "He is a phenomenal talent that had, as many quarterbacks do, an up-and-down rookie year. Where I see my role is as a supporter of him. This offense will be calibrated with him in mind. We’re going to build this thing – this is not simply a dropping of a previous playbook down on the table and starting there, nope. We’re ripping this thing down to the studs, and we’re going to build it up with him (in mind) first and foremost and then with the pieces around him next. I really look forward to challenging him and pushing him to continue to grow and to develop.”
That working relationship began Monday with the first formal day of the offseason program. Williams hopes that he and Johnson can create a similar dynamic that he enjoyed with Riley in college.
Early on, Johnson has made a positive impression.
“He said that you never forget your first day as a head coach,” Williams said. “He said it’s a great day and let’s get this rolling. He jumped out there and said a bunch of dos, said a bunch of don’ts and set a precedent for what we’re going to be like as a team, finding our identity and all of that. We’re excited. Obviously, we have to put in the work. Can’t be too excited because the work hasn’t been done. But definitely excited for what’s to come and the future.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.