Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson has essential checklist for Caleb Williams

Much of the optimism that the Chicago Bears will survive the NFC North gauntlet and mount a charge back to the postseason hinges on Caleb Williams making major strides in his development.

By merely hiring Ben Johnson as head coach, given Johnson’s influence over the Detroit Lions becoming one of the most prolific offenses across the league and Jared Goff one of its most efficient passers, the Bears have set Williams up for takeoff in 2025.

Throw in dropping potentially elite pass-catching tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick, reliable big-play receiver Luther Burden III in the second round, after fortifying the offensive line by trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson only to sign Drew Dalman early in free agency and the excuses are largely gone for Williams as he enters his second NFL season.

How Caleb Williams can take a big step for the Chicago Bears

As a rookie, Williams struggled at times getting on the same page from a timing standpoint with his pass catchers, while still completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

But, as Chicago eyes offseason investments producing a breakout season for Williams and big strides towards a playoff return, there might be some key areas the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback needs to improve in his second season.

CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell put together a list of each team’s most important thing to watch during OTAs, including where Johnson can help Williams improve.

“New Bears head coach Ben Johnson comes down to Chicago,” Podell writes for CBS. “After his Detroit Lions offense from 2022-2024 led the league in scoring offense (29.0 points per game since 2022). Seeing if he can coax Williams into getting the ball out faster, taking his checkdown when it’s available, and throwing the ball away, aka playing the position smarter, will certainly be something to keep an eye on.”

Improving Williams’ mechanics should certainly be a top-tier preseason building block for Johnson, as the Bears’ new head coach installs his offense and instills his influence on his quarterback.

For Williams, it will be fascinating to see how many of the concerns over how long he holds onto the football or taking checkdowns or disconcerting footwork in the pocket are within his skill-set or were a byproduct of playing behind an offensive line that allowed 68 sacks last season.

But, for the Bears, bolstering the offensive line and adding Johnson’s influence might be the biggest key to Williams and Chicago potentially making a run.