After steering the Detroit Lions’ offense over the past three years, ex-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson landed a major opportunity when he became the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Equipped with a top-tier quarterback prospect and a $13 million annual salary, everything seemed perfect as Johnson transitioned to the Windy City.
But the early days of training camp haven’t been as smooth as Johnson hoped. Taking over a 5-12 team has its complications, and Johnson now faces a situation he likely never would’ve encountered if he’d stayed in Detroit.
Johnson’s struggles were described by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. While speaking on 670 The Score, Wiederer pointed to growing pains involving Johnson’s new quarterback, Caleb Williams, which have forced the staff to step in with a firm message.
“I think there’s a daily effort to make sure he fully grasps the level of commitment needed to achieve what both he and the team want,” Wiederer explained. “It’s a growing process for a young quarterback, and they are urging Caleb to realize that when you leave the building, your job continues—study your playbook, prep for tomorrow, and mentally be ready.”
That same problem has emerged at camp, with Williams struggling to properly align the Bears’ offense. The confusion has made Johnson yell so much that tight end Cole Kmet admitted he couldn’t even understand him, and it continued when Williams tossed two interceptions in Friday’s session.
Williams’s ability isn’t the concern. He won the 2022 Heisman Trophy at USC and was one of the most hyped quarterback prospects in years when Chicago took him No. 1 overall in the 2024 draft. His rookie campaign was solid given the conditions, throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 TDs, and six picks, despite being sacked a league-high 68 times.
Still, Williams’s showing so far in training camp has been underwhelming for a second-year franchise QB, and it’s a headache Johnson wouldn’t have dealt with in Detroit.
The Lions are sitting comfortably with Jared Goff back at QB. A former No. 1 pick himself, Goff’s sharp mind and on-time execution make him reliable. These traits were showcased in Season 2 of Netflix’s Quarterback, helping Johnson thrive with a unit already in sync.
Naturally, Johnson still has time to get things in order, and things should improve as Williams grows in the offense. But while Chicago is pleading with its quarterback to study harder, Detroit is preparing for a real shot at the Super Bowl.
