LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — When Ben Johnson accepted the Bears’ head coach position in January, part of the appeal was working alongside second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Johnson believed in the future of Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That feeling was rooted primarily in what Johnson had observed on film. In getting to know Williams since then, Johnson's sentiments toward him have only grown.
“We both have the same goals,” Johnson said Tuesday. “We both care deeply about this team, we care deeply about this city and I care deeply about his success as well. He understands that now at this point. You only get to that by spending a lot of time together.
“What I’ve grown to love about him — and I hope he would echo the same thing — I think we’re mentally very similar. We share a lot of the same competitive drive, and we think the same way in a lot of regards.”
Williams has thrown for 3,400 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games in his second NFL season. He has made considerable strides during a breakthrough season for the Bears, who lead the NFC North at 11-4 and clinched a playoff berth over the weekend. The Bears will clinch the division with one win in their final two games or if the Packers (9-5-1) lose one of their final two contests.
Six of the Bears’ victories this season have come through fourth-quarter comebacks. This success followed what was a rough rookie campaign for Williams in 2024, when Chicago went 5-12 and fired then-head coach Matt Eberflus.
For his part, Williams has cited his connection with Johnson as a pivotal part for the success.
"I got the best coach in the world, let's put it that way,” Williams said. “We have the best coaching staff in the world. So, you put the talent with the coaches and the people that care, you can strive for anything, you can reach anything, you can go after any goal. And when you go out there on that football field, your belief is at an all-time high between players, between coaches, and you have outcomes like this."
The Bears will play the 49ers (11-4) at 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in a game that carries high stakes regarding seeding in the NFC playoff race.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.