As the Bears face a significant $22 million blow forecast, Ben Johnson recommended a strong Aaron Rodgers decision for Caleb Williams.

As the Chicago Bears prepare for what’s shaping up to be a difficult financial year in 2025, with a significant $22 million blow forecasted against their salary cap, they are faced with a tough decision: how to ensure the team remains competitive while managing financial constraints. In this challenging environment, one figure who has emerged as a voice of reason is Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and a respected mind in the NFL. Johnson’s recommendation: making a bold move to target the future of the quarterback position—Caleb Williams, the highly touted USC quarterback who is considered one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This decision has wide-ranging implications for the Bears and their future. The potential of acquiring Williams would undoubtedly help turn around the franchise’s fortunes, especially after the team’s continued struggles at the quarterback position in recent years. Johnson’s suggestion is rooted in the Bears’ need for a fresh start, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of a rare situation where they can secure a potential franchise quarterback while navigating significant financial challenges.

This article explores the details surrounding the Bears’ financial situation, the Caleb Williams decision, and why Ben Johnson believes that targeting the USC quarterback is the move that will change the course of the franchise’s future.

1. The Bears’ Financial Forecast: A $22 Million Blow

The Chicago Bears are heading into 2025 with a significant financial challenge. With a $22 million blow forecasted against their salary cap, the Bears’ front office is tasked with managing their roster while attempting to remain competitive in the NFC North. This situation stems from a combination of factors, including high-profile contracts that are now weighing heavily on the team’s books, a lack of salary cap flexibility due to previous spending decisions, and the inherent costs of rebuilding a roster that has been stuck in mediocrity for several seasons.

The salary cap in the NFL is a constantly shifting puzzle that requires savvy management to maintain competitiveness while building a sustainable roster. In the case of the Bears, their cap issues stem from several large contracts given to aging players or those who have underperformed. While the Bears have invested in high-end talent, including pieces on defense and along the offensive line, the quarterback position has remained a question mark since the days of Mitchell Trubisky and Andy Dalton. Their financial struggles in 2025 are exacerbated by the team’s inability to secure a franchise quarterback during their rebuilding efforts.

2. The Urgency for a Franchise Quarterback

The quarterback position is, of course, the most critical in the NFL. For a team like the Bears, who have suffered through several years of subpar quarterback play, the need for a true franchise quarterback has never been more urgent. The financial blow in 2025 gives the Bears an even greater reason to prioritize securing their long-term solution at quarterback.

It’s no secret that the Bears have struggled to find stability at quarterback. Since Jay Cutler’s departure after the 2016 season, the team has cycled through various options, including Trubisky, Nick Foles, and Justin Fields. While Fields has shown flashes of brilliance with his athleticism and playmaking ability, questions about his consistency, decision-making, and ability to perform at the highest level persist. The Bears’ investment in Fields is not yet yielding the desired results, which brings us to the pivotal crossroads at which the team finds itself.

There is now a growing sense within the organization that, despite the flashes of potential shown by Fields, a more stable and traditional franchise quarterback could be the answer to unlocking the Bears’ potential. As the team confronts the $22 million cap issue, this could be the moment for the Bears to pivot and go after a game-changing prospect. This is where Caleb Williams enters the conversation.

3. Ben Johnson’s Recommendation: The Caleb Williams Decision

Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, is one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL. Johnson, who has helped turn the Lions into a competitive team in the NFC North, has seen firsthand how a team can be transformed by the right quarterback. His recommendation to the Bears is clear: if they are serious about turning things around, they need to target Caleb Williams, the consensus top quarterback in the 2024 draft.

Williams, who has been playing for USC, has emerged as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football. He possesses a rare blend of skills that make him a potential franchise-changing player. His arm strength, accuracy, and mobility are top-tier, and he has the ability to perform in clutch situations. On top of that, Williams has shown the leadership qualities that teams covet in a young quarterback. His ability to elevate the play of those around him and handle pressure has made him the most coveted quarterback prospect in years.

For Johnson, the argument for targeting Williams is simple: the Bears are in a position to secure a generational talent at a position that has plagued the franchise for over a decade. In Johnson’s eyes, Williams would give the Bears the type of stability and playmaking ability at quarterback that they have lacked for so long. His skill set fits the modern NFL, where mobile, dynamic quarterbacks who can make plays with their arms and legs are increasingly valuable. Williams’ presence could immediately elevate the Bears’ offense and provide a foundation on which the team could build for years to come.

Johnson’s endorsement of Williams is not only based on the quarterback’s on-field talent but also his leadership qualities. As a young player, Williams has shown the maturity and poise that will be crucial for guiding the Bears through their cap struggles and building a winning culture. Given the challenges the team is facing financially, investing in a young quarterback like Williams would be the most logical long-term solution for the franchise.

4. The Financial Angle: Trading Up for Caleb Williams

Given the Bears’ financial situation, securing Caleb Williams may seem like an expensive proposition. After all, acquiring a top-tier quarterback prospect will likely require significant draft capital, which could be difficult to come by when the team is facing a salary cap crunch. However, Johnson’s recommendation does not come without a consideration of the financial impact.

The key to understanding why targeting Williams is a feasible move for the Bears lies in the rookie contract system in the NFL. Top draft picks, especially quarterbacks, are often signed to rookie contracts that provide tremendous value in terms of cost control. For a team with a tight cap situation like the Bears, this could be a huge advantage. By trading up and selecting Williams, the Bears could secure a top-tier quarterback without breaking the bank on a long-term, veteran deal. This would allow them to address their cap issues while also putting themselves in a position to compete in the near future.

The Bears currently have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which positions them perfectly to target a top quarterback prospect. This could give them the ability to trade up and secure Williams, assuming that he remains the top player on their board. While the trade-up scenario might require additional capital, such as future draft picks or current roster assets, the long-term benefits of securing Williams outweigh the immediate costs.

For the Bears, a highly controlled rookie deal for Williams would provide them with more flexibility in terms of building the rest of the roster. With Williams on the roster, they could address key areas such as the offensive line, receiving corps, and defense without worrying about committing significant financial resources to an established quarterback in the next few years.

5. The Potential Impact on the Bears’ Roster

The acquisition of Caleb Williams would immediately transform the Bears’ roster. Not only would they have a top-tier quarterback to build around, but Williams would also help attract free agents and build a culture of winning within the organization. A young, talented quarterback could elevate the performance of the Bears’ skill players and bring an infectious energy to the team.

Additionally, with Williams under contract, the Bears could focus on adding more pieces to help him succeed. The team’s salary cap woes might limit them in some areas, but having Williams on a cost-controlled rookie contract would give them the ability to focus on securing key free agents or making moves to build a more balanced roster.

If the Bears can successfully navigate the financial challenges in 2025 and manage to secure Caleb Williams, they will not only have a franchise quarterback but also the flexibility to build a championship-contending team around him. In many ways, Williams would represent the key to the future of the franchise, giving them a renewed sense of hope and purpose as they emerge from the financial storm.