Most coaches have their own strategies for developing young quarterbacks. If the rookie can absorb plenty of information, they open up the entire playbook. But often, that can be too much for a first-year passer. So, coaches usually simplify things until the quarterback proves ready for more responsibility. Matt Nagy did this with Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields. Head coach Ben Johnson, however, isn’t following that path. Caleb Williams is learning that lesson the hard way.
Adam Jahns of CHGO shared on Waddle & Silvy that Johnson hasn’t altered the offense one bit since taking over. He’s thrown Williams straight into the deep end and told him to keep up. While that may sound harsh, there’s a purpose behind it. Johnson wants to determine if his young quarterback can manage a pro-style offense. He won’t discover that by watering things down. Williams must show he can process and execute at a high level because that’s what elite quarterbacks are built to do.
If he fails to do so, that gives Johnson the clarity he’s looking for.
Caleb Williams shouldn’t expect the approach to change anytime soon.
The Bears rookie had a rough outing against the New Orleans Saints, passing for just 176 yards and an interception. Fortunately, it didn’t cost them much as Chicago piled up 222 rushing yards. Still, questions have begun to rise about whether Williams is fully grasping the system. He’s missing open targets and reverting to his old habits of scrambling and hunting for highlight plays.
Johnson is determined to eliminate those habits. That won’t happen by simplifying the offense. If Williams wants to reach greatness, he has to master playing within structure. The Bears coach isn’t trying to strip away the quarterback’s natural gifts — he’s trying to ensure Williams doesn’t depend solely on them, because that formula doesn’t work in the NFL.
There’s a proper way to play quarterback. Williams has shown flashes of it this season, but not often enough. Johnson plans to keep the pressure on until the rookie either cracks or figures it out completely.
