Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Expected to Turn Up the Heat on Caleb Williams to Accelerate Development in Sophomore NFL Season.
The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2025 NFL season with high hopes—and heightened expectations—centered around second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. After an up-and-down rookie campaign that showed flashes of brilliance and moments of growing pains, the Bears now have a new leader in head coach Ben Johnson, a respected offensive mind with a reputation for maximizing quarterback talent.
And if early reports out of training camp are any indication, Johnson isn’t here to coddle the former No. 1 overall pick. Instead, he’s planning to turn up the heat on Williams, both as a quarterback and as a franchise cornerstone, in hopes of unlocking the full potential that made him one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory.
A Change at the Top Brings New Standards
The arrival of Ben Johnson marked a turning point for the Bears’ franchise. After years of inconsistency at the head coaching position, the team turned to the architect of the Detroit Lions’ explosive offense in hopes of revitalizing Chicago’s historically stagnant attack. Johnson’s system in Detroit transformed Jared Goff from a cast-off into a top-10 quarterback, and the Bears are hoping for a similar evolution from Caleb Williams.
But with Johnson comes accountability—and urgency.
“We’re not here to wait,” Johnson said at his introductory press conference. “We’re here to develop, to compete, and to win. Caleb’s a big part of that, but he’s got to earn it every day.”
Williams’ Rookie Year: Foundation or Frustration?
Caleb Williams entered the NFL with massive expectations. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner was hailed as a generational talent coming out of USC, drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes for his improvisational brilliance and arm talent. But his rookie season with the Bears was a rollercoaster.
Williams threw for 3,200 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 2024. While his mobility and deep-ball accuracy were on display, so too were signs of inexperience—particularly when facing pressure or making pre-snap reads. The Bears finished 6-11, and though Williams avoided the “bust” label, critics wondered if his raw talent could ever translate into elite quarterbacking in the NFL without a serious boost in structure and coaching.
That’s where Ben Johnson comes in.
Raising the Standard: Johnson’s Approach to Quarterback Development
Johnson is known for building quarterback-friendly systems. With the Lions, he utilized motion, misdirection, and precision timing to keep defenses off balance and give Goff clean throwing windows. But equally important was his demand for preparation, discipline, and mental sharpness.
According to insiders, Johnson has brought that same intensity to Chicago—and he’s applying it directly to Williams.
“He’s challenging Caleb to master every aspect of the offense,” said one Bears staffer anonymously. “This isn’t just about big plays. It’s about footwork, protection calls, diagnosing coverage—all the boring stuff that wins games in the NFL.”
Williams, to his credit, has embraced the challenge.
“I want to be coached hard,” Williams said during minicamp. “Ben’s got a vision for what this offense can be, and it starts with me being great at the details.”
Practice Intensity Ramps Up
So far in training camp, observers have noted a significant uptick in intensity—particularly during quarterback drills and 11-on-11 sessions. Johnson is reportedly spending extra time with Williams during walkthroughs and film review, and he’s not afraid to stop practice to correct the second-year QB in real time.
“We saw Jared Goff get better every year under Ben,” said one NFL analyst. “There’s no reason Caleb can’t do the same if he buys in. But the margin for error is smaller in Chicago. That fan base wants results.”
Indeed, the Bears haven’t won a playoff game since the 2010 season and haven’t had a quarterback top 30 touchdown passes since Erik Kramer in 1995. Caleb Williams was brought in to change that. Ben Johnson was hired to ensure it happens.
Building Chemistry with New Weapons
One reason for optimism is the improved supporting cast around Williams. The Bears were aggressive in the offseason, adding wide receiver Keenan Allen via trade and drafting star WR Rome Odunze in the first round. Coupled with D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet, Williams now has a formidable arsenal.
But it’s up to Johnson to ensure those pieces fit together—and that Williams can process and execute with efficiency.
“We’ve got talent everywhere,” Johnson said. “Now it’s about communication, execution, and trust. Caleb is the key to it all.”
Odunze, a fellow rookie and already a standout in camp, praised Williams’ leadership.
“He’s stepping up more every day,” Odunze said. “We’re building something special, and he’s the heartbeat of it.”
No More Excuses
With a better line, deeper receiver room, and one of the brightest offensive minds in football calling the plays, there will be no more excuses for Williams in Year 2. While patience is warranted for young quarterbacks, the NFL is ultimately a results business—and Ben Johnson knows it.
“The goal isn’t to be better than last year,” Johnson told reporters. “The goal is to be one of the best teams in the league. That’s the bar.”
To reach it, Williams will need to make a tangible leap—particularly in decision-making, pre-snap control, and red zone efficiency. Johnson has already installed more complex reads into the playbook and is tasking Williams with checking protections at the line of scrimmage—something he wasn’t asked to do as a rookie.
“We’re putting more on his plate because we think he can handle it,” Johnson explained. “He’s not a rookie anymore.”
Leadership Expectations Rise
Another area where Johnson is pushing Williams is in leadership. While the young quarterback has never been shy or passive, his role as the face of the franchise requires him to command the huddle, the sideline, and the locker room.
To that end, Johnson has reportedly encouraged Williams to speak up more in team meetings and hold teammates accountable—regardless of age or veteran status.
“He’s got to own this thing,” one team source said. “Not just the offense, but the entire direction of the team. That’s what great quarterbacks do.”
Can He Make the Leap?
So the question remains: Can Caleb Williams make the leap in Year 2 under Ben Johnson’s tutelage?
The history of elite quarterbacks in their sophomore seasons offers reasons for both hope and caution. Patrick Mahomes famously won MVP in his second year (first as a starter). Josh Allen, meanwhile, didn’t break out until Year 3. Justin Fields, a former Bears QB, never made the leap despite flashes of brilliance.
The difference now? Infrastructure.
With a proven offensive coach, improved roster, and clearly defined expectations, the Bears are finally giving their quarterback what he needs to succeed. But Williams still has to do the work—and fast.
The NFC North won’t wait. The Lions are contenders. The Packers have found their quarterback. The Vikings are retooling with J.J. McCarthy. If the Bears want to climb the ladder, Williams must play like the star he was drafted to be.
The pairing of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams is now the most important relationship in Chicago sports. Johnson was hired not only to call plays but to mold a franchise quarterback. Williams, for his part, must rise to the challenge—starting now.
Camp is no longer about learning the basics. It’s about sharpening the blade. Every rep. Every audible. Every read. Johnson is demanding more. And Williams appears ready to give it.
“We’ve got a plan,” Johnson said. “But it’s not just about plans. It’s about execution, consistency, and belief.”
If those three things align, the Bears might finally have their answer at quarterback—and the most exciting era in franchise history could be just around the corner.
