LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) – When Bears head coach Ben Johnson accepted the job in Chicago, he did so with a belief in young quarterback Caleb Williams. That conviction had largely been formed by viewing film and through endorsements from those who knew Williams.
Johnson didn’t know until months into their first year together that he and Williams were truly wired the same way. Their daily meetings reviewing Johnson’s offense revealed that Williams was ready to meet each challenge thrown his way and that they’re one in the same as competitors.
Johnson believed in the Bears because he felt they were the team he could direct to championships, and Williams quickly came to trust that Johnson was well-suited to guide him toward the same goal.
Now, the second year of the Johnson-Williams partnership brings great expectations. The Bears hold championship aspirations after a breakthrough 2025 season.
"He wants to win here in Chicago, and he wants to win Super Bowls,” Johnson said of Williams. “That's really his motivating factor. He's been really clear and consistent with that message over the last year-and-a-half that I've gotten to know him. In order to do that, that's what we're pursuing. His portion of that is to be the best leader this team can get from the quarterback position, excel this offense to the next level, be a good, supportive teammate throughout the whole thing. He continues to make significant strides. I'm very happy with where he's at.”
Williams, 24, threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025, when he led the Bears to the NFC North crown and their first playoff victory in 15 years. He ascended under Johnson’s direction and displayed the type of progress that was anticipated.
Now, Johnson is telling the Bears to flush away their successes from last season. This is a new year in 2026, and Johnson believes that being content with the past can create complacency.
Williams is one of the most influential carriers of Johnson’s message. He will wear a C on his chest as a team captain for the Bears once again, and his performance on the field is what helps inspire faith in his persona as a leader.
The Bears are Williams’ team.
“There’s so much to unlock,” Williams said. “There’s so much to get better at, there’s so much left of ball for me and for us and accolades that we’ll have as a team.”
In years past, Chicago has seen how difficult it can be to build on initial success. In 2019, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky entered his third NFL season with the Bears coming off a division crown the year prior. He was entering his second year with then-head coach Matt Nagy, and a leap in performance was anticipated. That never came to fruition. Rather than offering Trubisky a lucrative long-term extension, the Bears traded for veteran quarterback Nick Foles the following offseason. It marked the beginning of the end for Trubisky’s tenure in Chicago.
While he’s in a similar situation and will be eligible for a contract extension next offseason, Williams certainly isn’t Trubisky – and he has the potential to soon end any debate about the best quarterback in Bears history.
That was one of Williams’ aspirations when he landed with a struggling Bears franchise as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That also means leading Chicago to championships.
“That’s always my goal,” Williams said. “It’s something that we’ve talked about in the past, but that’s always the goal for me, year in and year out, to get to that end.
“Every year for me is championship. So, nothing else needs to be said from there.”
Williams’ star has risen to greater heights since the end of last season. Last week, Williams was introduced as the cover boy of the Madden NFL 27 video game.
His focus remains on the work. During the Bears’ final practice of veteran minicamp Thursday at Halas Hall, Williams’ voice elevated across the practice field. Second-year receiver Luther Burden III believed he had a touchdown on a big play, but the officials on hand ruled him down shy of the goal line. The clock was ticking and Williams – from about 40 yards away – barked at Burden and the offense to get set.
Williams and the Bears will report for training camp in late July. Johnson plans on being at Halas Hall during much of the next six weeks as he continues to prepare his team for what’s to come.
Johnson has no concerns about Williams’ star shining too bright. After all, this promising tandem wants to keep building.
“This is a guy that has grown up in this,” Johnson said. “He's been a five-star recruit. He's won a Heisman. I think he knows how to handle attention. You come to a big city like Chicago, a place that loves their sports and loves the Bears, I think this is kind of what he's built for. I think it's a good match.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
