Caleb Williams faced a challenging start to his NFL career after being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears in 2022. Despite his promising college résumé as the Heisman Trophy winner, Williams finished his rookie season with a 5-12 record under head coach Matt Eberflus. Reports surfaced that questionable coaching decisions during his initial year contributed to a difficult environment for the young quarterback’s development.
With hopes for improvement, the Bears replaced Eberflus with Ben Johnson in January, signaling a new direction for the franchise. Fans are optimistic that Williams will benefit from Johnson’s leadership as he prepares for the upcoming season as the team’s starting quarterback.
Leaguewide Watch on Caleb Williams’ Growth Under Ben Johnson
On Monday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler shared insights on SportsCenter about Williams’ progress heading into the new season. Fowler emphasized that Williams’ football maturity is drawing attention throughout the league, highlighting the importance of his mental and emotional growth alongside physical development.
“Yeah, so football maturity is going to be a big theme for his leaguewide,” Fowler said (0:25). “The Bears have already been working with him on, you know, body language, how you’re handling yourself in the huddle, on the sidelines when a play doesn’t go right.” —Jeremy Fowler, NFL Insider
Fowler added that Williams has been praised for his professionalism and response to adversity during practices and games, especially adapting to Johnson’s demanding coaching style.
“And the word out of Chicago is he’s handled himself well there. … So those are all things people are watching, but word is this offseason he’s been great, really taken to Ben Johnson’s hard aggressive coaching.” —Jeremy Fowler, NFL Insider
Insights from Caleb Williams’ Own Reflections on His Rookie Year
In the biography American Kings by Seth Wickersham, Williams candidly addressed the hurdles he faced in his first NFL season. He explained how he often resorted to watching film alone and preparing independently without external assistance, highlighting the isolation and challenge of navigating a tough rookie year.
Brian Urlacher Identifies Obstacles Behind Williams’ Early Difficulties
Former NFL star Brian Urlacher spoke last month on Johnny Manziel’s Glory Daze podcast, providing an analysis of Williams’ rookie campaign. Urlacher praised the quarterback‘s natural talent but placed blame on the Bears’ coaching and offensive line for the struggles faced last season.
“I love Caleb,” Urlacher said. “I think he’s going to be really good. You know, I think if you put him in a different position, a different situation last year, I think he could have been Rookie of the Year.” —Brian Urlacher, Former NFL Player
“You know what Kingsbury did with Jayden Daniels in Washington and what Bo Nix did out with Sean Payton in Denver. So maybe a different situation.” —Brian Urlacher, Former NFL Player
Williams ended his debut season with 3,541 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. However, he was sacked 68 times, the highest number in the league, pointing to significant weaknesses in the Bears’ protection scheme. This statistic underscores the importance of the changes expected under Ben Johnson’s coaching staff for the quarterback’s future success.
Looking Ahead: Potential Turnaround for Caleb Williams and the Bears
As the Bears prepare for the new NFL season, much attention will focus on Caleb Williams’ development under Ben Johnson’s rigorous coaching philosophy. The quarterback’s improved maturity and adaptation to these demands could be key factors in reversing last year’s disappointing performance. If Williams continues to grow and the team strengthens its offensive line, the Bears may be able to compete more effectively and offer Williams the environment he needs to fulfill his potential.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Caleb Williams autosexual?
A. Caleb Williams has announced that he identifies as “autosexual.” This means he mainly feels sexual attraction and desire towards himself.
Q. Why does Caleb Williams wear #18?
A. Caleb Williams explained why he chose to wear number 18. He said he wore it in high school and won a championship with it. He also respected that Keenan Allen, a 13-year veteran and Hall of Famer, already wore the number. There wasn’t much debate about it. Caleb asked but then decided to choose a different number without any issues.