Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are aiming to stick around for a while in Chicago.
Speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York, the Bears quarterback discussed how the relationship with his new head coach has been so far this offseason and how they're trying to forge an early bond.
"Ben Johnson is great and it's not just Ben Johnson," Williams said on Friday, via Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media. "We have a young staff slash old staff and we have a bunch of experience, bunch of new energy provided by the coaches and players. It's been awesome. Ben Johnson, he uses some choice words every day toward me. He's tough and I love him. He's awesome. It's great being around him.
"We hang out in his office and we just have lunch sometimes, things like that. We're building this bond and relationship to be able to last a while. I know Bears fans, it's year after year typically, or every other year, where coaches and quarterbacks specifically are in and out and our goal is to be here for a while."
Williams hopes Johnson helps provide stability for years to come and help curate an explosive offense that has seemed to escape Chicago for decades. It's a subject the former No. 1 overall pick has had to deal with as he approaches his second season in the league.
According to a book that's set to be published in September, Williams and his father, Carl Williams, looked for ways early in the process to avoid getting drafted by the Bears because of Chicago's past instability. Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator, hadn't been hired yet by the Bears and didn't appear bothered by the storyline, saying the Bears QB has an opportunity to change the narrative. Williams has also since stressed his desire to lead the Bears organization despite the book.
Johnson, who is regarded as one of the best play-callers in the league, was hired in January after the club fired Matt Eberflus midway through a 5-12 2024 campaign.
During Williams' first season, he displayed some high-and-low moments, throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Chicago's offensive line didn't help its rookie signal-caller as Williams was sacked for a league-high 68 sacks in 17 games. The Bears also didn't have a receiver reach 1,000 receiving yards.
Williams and Johnson certainly one of the duos to watch in the 2025 season. The Bears' offseason moves have proven that they're all in protecting Williams and providing weapons around him for Year 2. Chicago traded for offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and signed center Drew Dalman to beef up its front line. The Bears also used their first three draft picks on tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10 overall, Round 1), wide receiver Luther Burden III (No. 39 overall, Round 2) and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56 overall, Round 2).
There's a lot of hype in Halas Hall with Williams and Johnson entering their first season together. The QB-HC will get to work when training camp begins on July 22.
