With media frenzy around Bears, Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson has one focus: Pushing his team hard

Ben Johnson offers honest critiques of Caleb Williams, ejects rookie WR from drills

Johnson’s tough camp has generated a number of headlines so far, particularly in relation to Caleb Williams, with one NFL analyst going as far as to say that Williams had ‘a ways to go’ in his development under the new coach, and in a drop-back passing scheme. In particular, many analysts have cited his ‘backyard football’ approach to the game, and are not especially confident in Johnson’s ability to get him to play within his scheme.

Speaking after recent practices, Johnson offered praise for his young charge, while tempering it with some mild critiques, saying:

“He’s always been very comfortable as a shotgun quarterback. He’s very comfortable in a two-minute setting and with tempo type plays. Now we’re asking him to be a little more structured in terms of play calls, there’s probably more going on mentally than there’s ever been for him. At some point, it’s going to slow down, and he’ll be able to catch up and his physical ability will take over. Right now, though, he’s playing a little slower than what he’s capable of,” said Johnson.

Johnson was, however, encouraged by Williams’ progress throughout camp, saying on Tuesday that “He is so much more comfortable right now. Even yesterday, in terms of moving around. We go from gun to under (center) to the tight ends are moving, the receivers are moving. We’re adding more every day. I told him this on the player day off: his process is really clean right now. I’m talking about how he’s preparing. I’m really pleased with it. He’s doing the work behind the scenes that no one else is seeing and we’re starting to see the dividends being paid from it.”

One player Johnson definitely seems displeased with, though, is rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, whose slow start to training camp continued with him being ejected from a series of team drills, according to reports:

Burden already had a slow start to camp between a lingering injury and a delay in signing his contract, and it appears he may already be on the bad side of his coach.

Johnson has the latitude to coach his team hard, and it shows

All power to Ben Johnson, who has got the latitude to do whatever he needs to do in Chicago. He built a strong reputation with the Detroit Lions, and was an in-demand head coach option in two straight offseasons. The fact that he chose the Bears, coupled with the Bears desperate need for a successful team to please their rabid fanbase, should make his seat one of the safest in the NFL.

Knowing that that’s the case, why not set a high standard? Under Matt Eberflus, the Bears came in for plenty of criticism over the last few seasons for failing to develop young players, with some particularly egregious examples around Caleb Williams highlighted. To change that culture means setting a standard from day 1, and it certainly appears Johnson has done that.

With Williams in particular, this is not an especially risky strategy. Under the current NFL rookie wage scale, the team will be able to move on from Williams if he doesn’t develop at the rate they desire over the next few seasons, and this would leave no marks on Johnson, having not been around to select him in the first place. That adds another level of comfort to the current situation.

It’s clear that Johnson thinks he can get more out of his talented stable of young offensive players, and he seems intent on getting it by whatever means necessary. This likely won’t be the last story we hear from the Chicago Bears camp this summer.