Ben Johnson isn’t worried about Caleb Williams’ prior Bears concerns.
The new Chicago head coach joined Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” on Thursday to discuss the upcoming season and his second-year quarterback’s recently revealed apprehension about the franchise.
“I see a chance for greatness here for him,” Johnson said during the appearance. “He’s been communicative that way. He feels the same way. I don’t know about what’s gone on before I joined the organization, but he’s very proud to be a Chicago Bear. That’s what our conversations have included.
“He’s really excited to get to work right now and be the best version of himself for 2025.”
Johnson’s comments came just hours after news broke that Williams’ dad, Carl, didn’t want him to get drafted to the Bears, saying “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” as revealed in Seth Wickersham’s new book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” which is set to be published in September.
His father reportedly went to “great lengths” to try to get his son out of potentially getting picked by the Bears, ESPN reported on the book.
“I don’t want my son playing for the Bears,” Williams told several agents in 2024, the book said.
Johnson, who was the architect of one of the best offenses in the NFL as the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022-24, doesn’t appear to be fazed.
“I see this as what a great opportunity that we have to do something that’s never been done,” Johnson said on Cowherd’s show. “There hasn’t been a 4,000-yard passer here in this franchise and I think Caleb’s going to be the first one. One of many years to come where he’s going to accomplish that feat.”
The Johnson hire marks a new era for the Bears and Williams after Wickersham reported the QB was concerned about playing under former head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
“Do I want to go there? I don’t think I can do it with [Waldron],” Caleb wondered aloud to confidants.
Both coaches were fired during Williams’s rookie season.
The Bears are looking to improve during Williams’ sophomore season after going 5-12 and missing the postseason for the fourth straight year in 2024.