The Chicago Bears are feeling the heat from their new head coach, Ben Johnson, and Wednesday’s practice at voluntary minicamp was a wake-up call for everyone, including their young quarterback, Caleb Williams. The session, the first open to the media this spring, gave us a front-row seat to Johnson’s no-nonsense style, and let’s just say he’s not here to hand out participation trophies. The guy was all over his players, from veteran tight end Cole Kmet getting an earful for lining up wrong to Williams himself catching heat after what looked like a highlight-reel throw.
Picture this: Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, uncorks a beauty of a pass to DJ Moore, zipping it deep down the left sideline for what seemed like his best throw of the day. The kid’s got an arm, no question. But as he jogged back toward the coaches, Johnson wasn’t clapping—he was chewing him out. “You can’t do that,” Johnson barked, per Adam Hoge of CHGO. What went wrong? Maybe it was a read, a footwork issue, or something else in the playbook, but Johnson’s point was clear: even your best moments need to be perfect. That’s the kind of accountability that could shape Williams into the franchise quarterback Bears fans are praying for.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—Wednesday wasn’t exactly a banner day for No. 18. Mark Carman of CHGO didn’t hold back, saying Williams has “a long way to go” before he’s ready to shine in 2025. “I was hoping the Ben Johnson impact would be immediate,” Carman said. “The impact is not immediate.” He pointed out Williams’ struggles: throwing off his back foot, running out of bounds, firing weird sidearm passes to nobody, and overshooting receivers in both live drills and basic throwing sessions. It’s the kind of sloppy stuff that makes you wince, especially for a guy expected to be the face of the franchise. Carman’s not doubting Williams will start, but he’s sounding the alarm that the road to success is looking bumpier than expected.
This is where Johnson’s intensity comes in. Last year, Williams wasn’t thrilled with the Bears’ coaching staff, feeling like they didn’t push him enough. Well, that’s not an issue now. Johnson’s not afraid to get in his quarterback’s face, whether it’s a bad play or a good one that could’ve been better. That’s a shift from 2024, and it’s exactly what a raw talent like Williams needs. The kid’s got all the tools—arm strength, mobility, and that clutch gene you can’t teach—but refining those skills takes a coach who’ll demand precision. Johnson’s setting a standard, and it’s clear he’s not letting Williams coast on potential.
The Bears are still a work in progress, and Williams is at the heart of it. His college tape at USC was electric, but the NFL’s a different beast, and these early OTA struggles are a reminder of that. The good news? There’s time. With more practices open to the media later this month and training camp around the corner, Williams has a chance to clean things up. If he can take Johnson’s coaching to heart—fix the footwork, dial in the accuracy, and make the right reads—he could start turning heads for the right reasons. For now, Bears fans are holding their breath, hoping Johnson’s tough love molds their young QB into the star they’ve been waiting for. This is just the beginning, but in Chicago, the pressure’s already on.
