The Chicago Bears’ voluntary minicamp kicked into high gear on Wednesday, and let me tell you, the energy at Halas Hall was electric. The media got their first peek at the Bears’ OTA session, and all eyes were on new head coach Ben Johnson, who’s already bringing a fire that’s got the whole team—and the city—buzzing. This guy’s not messing around, and his intensity is setting a tone that’s impossible to ignore.
One moment that had everyone talking was Johnson lighting into veteran tight end Cole Kmet after he lined up wrong. You could feel the heat from the sidelines—Kmet’s a seasoned pro, but Johnson’s not playing favorites. That’s the kind of no-nonsense approach that can shake a team out of its comfort zone and into something special. But the real headline? Johnson didn’t hold back on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick from the 2024 draft, even after what looked like a highlight-reel play.
Picture this: Williams drops back and fires a beauty of a pass, hitting DJ Moore on a deep out down the left sideline. The kind of throw that makes you sit up and nod, like, “Yeah, that’s why he’s QB1.” But as Williams jogs back toward the coaches, Johnson’s waiting for him, and he’s not handing out gold stars. “You can’t do that,” Johnson barked, per CHGO’s Adam Hoge. Now, we don’t know exactly what Williams did wrong—maybe a footwork hiccup or a read he missed—but the point is, Johnson’s holding him accountable, even on his best play of the day. That’s the kind of coaching that builds champions. It’s not just about celebrating the big moments; it’s about demanding precision every single snap.
Johnson’s approach is a breath of fresh air for a Bears team that’s been starving for discipline. Last year, Williams wasn’t shy about his frustration with a coaching staff that, in his view, didn’t push him hard enough. Well, that’s not an issue anymore. Johnson’s all about setting a standard, and he’s not afraid to call out his franchise quarterback when he’s off the mark. That’s huge for a young QB like Williams, who’s got all the talent in the world but needs that tough love to unlock it.
Now, let’s be real—Wednesday wasn’t exactly a banner day for Williams. Mark Carman, also of CHGO, didn’t sugarcoat it: the kid’s got work to do. “I was hoping the Ben Johnson effect would be instant,” Carman said. “It’s not.” Williams was out there throwing off his back foot, slinging weird sidearm passes to nobody, overshooting receivers, and scampering out of bounds when he didn’t need to. Whether it was live drills or just casual throwing sessions, the polish wasn’t there. “It was not a good day for 18,” Carman added, and you could hear the disappointment in his voice. But here’s the thing: nobody’s questioning Williams’ spot as the Bears’ QB of the future. What’s clear, though, is that the road to greatness is going to be a grind.
Johnson’s not blind to this. He sees the raw potential in Williams—the arm strength, the athleticism, the flashes of brilliance like that throw to Moore. But he also sees the sloppy footwork, the questionable decisions, the stuff that separates good from great. And he’s not letting it slide. That’s what makes this exciting. Williams wanted a coach who’d get in his face and push him to be better, and Johnson’s delivering in spades. If Wednesday’s any indication, this is a coach who’s going to demand every ounce of effort from his quarterback, whether it’s a perfect pass or a busted play.
For Bears fans, this is the kind of stuff that gets you fired up. Yeah, Williams is a work in progress, and yeah, it’s only May. But with Johnson cracking the whip and a talented roster around him—guys like Moore and Kmet who can make plays when the ball’s on target—there’s reason to believe this team’s headed somewhere special. Keep an eye on those upcoming OTA sessions open to the media and training camp later this summer. If Williams starts soaking up Johnson’s coaching, we might just see the kind of leap that turns a promising quarterback into a franchise cornerstone. For now, it’s all about laying the foundation—one intense, accountability-driven practice at a time.
