(670 The Score) New Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was hired to fill a key role alongside head coach Ben Johnson as they work to develop second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and build a dynamic offense.
At just 28 years old, Doyle is a first-time offensive coordinator. But Johnson believes in his intelligence and his ability to connect with players – even if they're older than him.
That includes a budding relationship with the 23-year-old Williams, whom Doyle sees as an ascending player.
“The sky’s the limit with his athletic ability, with his talent,” Doyle said Thursday. “But being around him, just the person himself, I think he wants to do well, I think he wants to be great. I think it’s really important to him. He’s been very open to accepting feedback, accepting coaching. We’re really starting to build that relationship where we’re going to be able to build this thing and hit his ceiling.”
Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in 17 starts as a rookie last season. He showcased promise despite inconsistency around him.
In the Bears' turbulent 2024 campaign, Williams worked under three individuals who carried the title of offensive coordinator at various points of the season. Johnson hopes to bring greater stability for Williams’ second season, and that began by hiring a staff that can help foster his growth.
Williams will work with Johnson, Doyle, new quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett and new passing game coordinator Press Taylor, who previously served as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.
“The traits are there,” Taylor said of Williams. “The traits of throwing the football, exploding out of his hand. I picture a hole shot to Cole Kmet to the field that just popped off his hand. That’s his special God-given gift, right there that you can start to envision all the cool things you can do with something like that. But then there are certain flashes where it looked like a young quarterback where he didn’t know what he was looking at, he missed what he was looking at or he was a little late to pull the trigger. There’s certain things, but a lot of that you expect to see with young quarterbacks, as well.”