Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson sees a changed Caleb Williams this season. Discover how his growth impacts the Bears' offense and what it means for Chicago.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Caleb Williams isn't the same person he was a year ago.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson can attest to that as he enters his second season with the young quarterback.
"I've seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building," Johnson said. "This guy, you know, might have had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago, and I use that term with love. And now you just see a more serious player and intent every time I'm around him. And I think his teammates feel that as well. He's getting to the practice field early. He's making sure his part is taken care of. He's warmed up, he's ready to go. He stays after with the guys, after practice. I think you guys see that on a regular basis. So he's taking a lot of pride in his approach right now, and it trickles down to everyone around him. I think it's a great thing. I think he continues to grow up and he's going to be a huge leader for us this year."
When Johnson called Williams "goofy" a year ago, he was referring to how the young quarterback would get "sidetracked or distracted a little bit." However, that's not the case now. He can see the intent with Williams' approach and how he's aiming to take his game to the next level.
Now entering Year 3 in the league and his second in Johnson's offense, Williams has stepped up as a vocal leader. He has at the point when things don't go according to plan, he will get pissed off, which Johnson believes is a trait that is seen in the best of players.
"He’s really hard on himself, first and foremost, and so he gets upset with himself," Johnson said. "But now it’s to the point where if we’re that close and somebody didn’t get his depth or ran the wrong number of steps or whatever that is, he’s not afraid to let them know. And I think he’s earned that right with how he has played over the last year and a half."
During the Bears' third training camp practice, Williams chewed out rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas for not going in motion.
"I know it's coming from a good place," Thomas said on Williams getting on him. "We all got the same objective. We all got the same goal. We want to win, so if I'm not doing the right thing, anybody, tell me. I know how to take coaching, and I know it's coming from a good place."
Tight end Colston Loveland is entering his second season with Williams. The Bears' leading pass catcher from a season ago can see how his quarterback's voice is having more of an effect on the team.
"Yeah, huge impact," Loveland said. "Obviously, him being the leader of our team, the quarterback, everyone looks up to him. Him just with anything, you build confidence over time. And him being more confident, I think that spreads throughout the team for sure. And you can tell he's ready to go.
Williams isn't letting last year's success get to his head. With a sharper mindset and a deeper understanding of Johnson's offense, he is fully equipped to take the next step in his NFL career.
