Bears HC Ben Johnson responds to Caleb Williams book controversy

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson doesn't coach his first regular-season game until September, but he's already dealing with a potential controversy.

On Thursday, ESPN released an excerpt from Seth Wickersham's new book, "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," that revealed Bears QB Caleb Williams' father, Carl, didn't want Chicago to take him with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

"Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Carl Williams, Caleb's father, told Wickersham ahead of the 2024 draft (h/t ESPN). 

Wickersham reported that Carl Williams met with labor lawyers and agents to see if he could circumvent the draft process. He also considered whether Caleb should sign with the United Football League so he could become an unrestricted NFL free agent and pick his team. 

Johnson, however, insists that whatever happened last offseason no longer matters. 

"I see a chance for greatness here for him," Johnson said Thursday on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," via Matt Clapp of the Comeback/Awful Announcing. "He's been communicated that way and he feels the same way. I don't know what's gone on prior to him joining the organization, but he is 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."

Caleb Williams reportedly wanted to play for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, an offensive genius. Once he realized Chicago wouldn't trade him to an NFC North rival, the QB reportedly accepted he would be a Bear and told his father they wouldn't publicly attack the organization. 

Now, it seems Caleb Williams is focused on helping the Bears make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. Johnson could help him do that. 

When Johnson was the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator in 2024, the team ranked first in scoring (33.2). If he maximizes Caleb Williams, who tossed 20 TD passes in 17 starts as a rookie, this should be a forgotten storyline.