The Chicago Bears are hoping the pairing of head coach Ben Johnson and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will correct what went awry last season. Former scout Bucky Brooks, now an analyst for NFL Network, is bullish on the Bears’ outlook.
Coming off a 5-12 rookie season in which he absorbed a league-leading 68 sacks, Williams is poised to benefit greatly from the Bears’ offseason moves.
Arguably, none of them is more important than hiring Johnson.
Caleb Williams, Bears’ Offense Set for ‘Fireworks’ Under Ben Johnson
Ex-Scout Touts Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams Combo
“The pairing of Williams and Johnson, whose Lions offenses finished in the top five or better in both points and yards in each of the past three seasons, should produce fireworks for a revamped offense that is loaded with playmakers and protectors following an offseason shopping spree, Brooks wrote on May 30.
“Given how well Detroit torched opponents with tactics and trickery during Johnson’s tenure as offensive coordinator, the Bears’ combination of players and play calls should lead to a scoring explosion in Chicago.”
The Bears handed out the sixth-most guaranteed money and the eighth-most overall in free agency, per Spotrac.
New center Drew Dalman inked a three-year, $42 million deal with $28 million guaranteed.
That does not account for the extensions Joe Thuney (two years, $35 million; $33.5 million guaranteed) and Jonah Jackson (three years, $44.5 million; $24.5 million guaranteed) received after their trades to Chicago.
Brooks cautions that it could take some time for the Bears’ revamped offensive line to jell. But also believes the Bears’ playmakers will see ample one-on-one opportunities.
Bears OL a Polarizing Unit
The Bears’ offensive line is one of the most polarizing positions on the team, perhaps behind only quarterback. Debates over the root cause of Williams’ rookie struggles often began with deficiencies among the previous coaching staff.
Beyond that, though, Williams’ culpability compared to that of his protectors has sparked many a debate.
ESPN ranked them 15th in Pass Block Win Rate and eighth in the equivalent in run blocking.
Pro Football Focus ranked them opposite, giving the Bears the eighth-best pass blocking grade and 15th-best run blocking mark. Perhaps that in and of itself explains why many point there first before moving onto Williams.
The Bears’ running game similarly struggled despite its rankings, and starting tailback D’Andre Swift has faced similar questions as Williams in that regard.
Dalman, Jackson, and Thuney’s additions put the onus on Swift and Williams.
There remain questions about the offensive line, particularly at left tackle, where Braxton Jones is recovering from ankle surgery while rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo has worked in his place during the offseason program so far.
Still, the Bears believe they have addressed their coaching needs and in the trenches. It is now up to Williams to prove he is who the Bears believe he is, and Johnson must help get him there.