Ben Johnson details 'growth' he's already seen from Caleb Williams

For a recent story by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, first-year Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson mentioned that he and his staff are spending a portion of the summer working with quarterback Caleb Williams on "some of the pre-snap stuff [Williams] could improve on" as a second-year pro.

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday morning, Johnson indicated Williams has already taken steps in the right direction during training camp. 

"I probably just see growth," Johnson said about Williams, per Adam Hoge of AllCHGO. "He is so much more comfortable right now. Even yesterday -- the walk-through -- 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."

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff became a 2024 MVP finalist when Johnson was the club's offensive coordinator. On Monday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic noted that "Goff led the league last season with 217 pass attempts from under center, 63 more than Sam Darnold, who ranked second." Fishbain also pointed out that Williams attempted only 71 passes from under center during his rookie campaign. 

Williams previously acknowledged he must do better to help his offensive line after he was sacked a league-high 68 times last season. According to Pro Football Reference, he ended the 2024 campaign ranked 31st in the NFL among qualified players with a 46.7 adjusted QBR as he went 5-12 in 17 starts. 

n MayI, it was learned that an upcoming book written by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham shares that Williams "said he would watch film alone, with no instruction or guidance from the coaches" during his rookie season that featured former head coach Matt Eberflus and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron losing their jobs before Week 18.

Whatever did and/or didn't happen behind the scenes last fall, it sounds like Johnson is ensuring Williams will be properly coached up by September. 

"I told him this on the player day off," Johnson added. "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."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Bears at +160 betting odds to make the playoffs this season. The Minnesota Vikings will get a good look at Williams' development when they face Chicago in a Week 1 "Monday Night Football" matchup on Sept. 8.