The Chicago Bears are coming off a 5-12 season in which the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams, finished behind the No. 2 pick, Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Ben Johnson must make a difference.
Schefter noted the Bears acquired three new interior offensive linemen and that they retooled their wide receiver room this offseason.
But Schefter says the Bears’ plan “really comes down to” Johnson.
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“Pretty interesting the way that we spoke about Jayden Daniels, previously in this very segment, and the way we’re talking about Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears right now. We’re talking about with him, saying it will be an improvement for them to go from five wins to nine wins. Don’t have to make the playoffs. Want a good feeling. All those things are accurate,” Schefter said on “NFL Live” on May 13.
“Think about the expectations that are on Caleb Williams compared to the way we’re talking about Jayden Daniels. It’s night and day. You would never imagine that these two players were one pick apart in the draft, going at 1 and number 2. And that is where Ben Johnson, the new Chicago Bears head coach comes in. That is what the Bears are banking on.”
The Bears traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and they signed center Drew Dalman in free agency.
They also drafted Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. The duo joins a pass-catching corps that also includes wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Odunze was the Bears’ first-round pick in 2024. Tight end Cole Kmet caught 73 passes in 2023.
Schefter, though, insisted the Bears’ success hinges on Johnson.
In addition to besting Williams in several categories, some more than others, Daniels had a Pro Bowl season. He also earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while Williams and the Bears scuttled. Notably, both QBs saw their seasons change following their Week 8 head-to-head matchup.
Williams and the Bears did not win another game until Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers. Daniels was less efficient from that point on, but his production reached an even higher level.
The Bears (really, general manager Ryan Poles) need Johnson to prove they made the right choice in the 2024 draft.
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“This comes down to whether Ben Johnson can make Caleb Williams the quarterback the Bears thought they were getting when they drafted him No. 1 overall, one slot before Washington took Jayden Daniels. That’s what this is all about. You bring in the quarterback guru, the man that has helped grow Jared Goff, who’s been a wizard wherever he’s been, who can help Caleb Williams, take that next step to become the quarterback that they thought they were getting,” Schefter said.
“If they can, then who knows if 9 wins is the limit? Anything would be possible if Ben Johnson could make Caleb Williams into the quarterback, the Bears think he is.”
Johnson’s coaching staff is not heavy on experience rearing young QBs. For whatever credit he deserves with Goff, and there certainly is plenty, the former Rams starter was the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft. Goff also had a Super Bowl appearance and two Pro Bowls when the Rams traded him to the Detroit Lions.
This offseason, Poles admitted to skipping steps with Williams. They hope this time is different.
Obviously, this is far from a make-or-break season for Johnson in Year 1. The pressure on him and, really, the front office and organization are very real, though.