The Chicago Bears swiped the most sought-after offensive coach this offseason. Now, the key is ensuring the marriage between Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams flourishes.
"Us growing together is key. Starting now. Him pushing me is key. I know that, and he knows that," Williams said Tuesday from Halas Hall as the Bears opened offseason workouts this week.
Williams experienced an up-and-down rookie campaign, struggling at times with pacing and staring down receivers. He also showed flashes of extraordinary upside, including a big arm and off-platform ability, which made him the No. 1 overall pick a year ago.
Entering Year 2, the 23-year-old is looking to learn from the downslopes of 2024.
"I'm super excited about it," he said of his sophomore season. "Being able to be in this position, being able to have a first year the way I did -- ups and downs -- and then to be able to come in here as confident as I was last year or possibly even more and to be able to get here with the group that we have, I really can't wait to get to work with these guys."
The first steps of that work began this week, as Williams noted he's working through the cadence and huddle sequence of the new offense. After spending most of his college and rookie days in shotgun, the quarterback will also get more comfortable in under-center formations that Johnson's scheme calls for.
The second-year signal-caller knows that if he leaps forward in his development, the entire team can thrive. He reiterated that that advancement will come with Johnson's tutelage.
"If you have that position right, it helps with a bunch of different things," Williams said of the NFL being a QB-driven league. "Building that bond, (Johnson) pushing me and us growing together for years to come is going to be fun. I can't wait, and to be able to help me learn more about ball because he's super smart, super sharp."
On paper, the Bears have the pieces to make a quick turnaround under Johnson. Football isn't played on paper. If Chicago is to translate the offseason optimism onto the gridiron, it will start with Williams immediately buying into Johnson's plan and excelling in his scheme.
