LAKE FOREST, In poor health. — New Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson mentioned he seems on the franchise’s troubling observe document of growing quarterbacks as a chance.
Excerpts from ESPN senior author Seth Wickersham’s ebook “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” highlighted the struggles Caleb Williams skilled all through his rookie season with the Bears and the trepidation that each the No. 1 choose and his father, Carl, shared concerning the group.
Wickersham’s reporting revealed that Caleb Williams hoped to be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and that Carl Williams didn’t need his son to be chosen by the Bears as a result of Chicago was the place “quarterbacks go to die.”
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Johnson smiled Wednesday when requested about that assertion.
“I like it,” he mentioned. “I like the chance to come back on in and alter that narrative. That is the place nice tales are written. So, we’re trying to write a brand new chapter right here — 2025 Chicago Bears — and searching ahead to the long run.”
Johnson mentioned he spoke with Williams final week after the excerpt got here out and appeared keen to maneuver previous the problems from the quarterback’s rookie season.
“He is his personal man,” Johnson mentioned. “He is gonna be handled as such. I believe we’re each actually wanting ahead to turning the web page on years prior and specializing in the right here and now.”
Wickersham’s ebook additionally detailed the disconnect between Williams and former Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was fired in early November. Williams reportedly watched movie alone throughout his rookie season with out the steering from coaches. At a number of factors final 12 months, Williams publicly implored his coaches to carry him accountable whereas demanding tougher teaching.
Williams was not made accessible by the staff Wednesday and has not spoken publicly for the reason that ebook excerpt got here out.
Johnson spent final season because the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, then was employed by Chicago in January after it went 5-12 in 2024. The coach labeled his first 4 months of working along with Williams as “excellent” and famous that the extra time they spend collectively, the higher Johnson mentioned he feels.
“It begins with growing a rapport and a belief, and that is earned over time,” Johnson mentioned. “You do not stroll in Day 1 and anticipate that to be achieved, so the extra time we spend collectively, he understands I’ve his finest pursuits at coronary heart and vice vera. He is gonna go on the market and play in addition to he presumably cannot only for himself or for me however for the entire staff and town. I imply, that is actually what it comes all the way down to. So, we’re very a lot aligned by way of what we wish to get completed and it simply takes extra time on activity by way of getting on the identical web page with how we will do it.”
