Bears coach praises Caleb Williams
while QB stays quiet in wake of book excerpt
[May 22, 2025]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — New Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson praised
Caleb Williams while the quarterback remained mum Wednesday in the
wake of a book excerpt detailing how the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner
and his father wanted nothing to do with the founding NFL franchise
leading up to last year's draft.
The account of the Williamses' feelings about the Bears in “American
Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” by author Seth Wickersham was
reported by ESPN last week. Johnson said Caleb Williams gave no
indication he would rather play elsewhere when they discussed it.
“I can’t speak too much in terms of what it was like before he got
here and when he got here last year, but from my four months on the
job, he’s been outstanding to work with and we just are focusing on
getting a little better every day," Johnson said.
The Bears did not make Williams available to reporters following
their workout.
In the book, Wickersham describes how Williams and his father, Carl
Williams, asked attorneys to find a workaround to the NFL’s
collective bargaining agreement, explored signing with the United
Football League and considered publicly ripping Chicago and the
Bears to create an untenable situation for the team.
“Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” Carl Williams said
ahead of the draft, according to the book.
Johnson grinned when asked about that comment.
“I love it. I love it,” he said when asked about Carl Williams'
comment. “I love the opportunity to come on in and change that
narrative. That’s where great stories are written. So, we’re looking
to write a new chapter here — 2025 Chicago Bears — and looking
forward to the future.”
Wickersham reported Caleb Williams indicated to confidantes he
didn’t think he could work with then-offensive coordinator Shane
Waldron. Bears general manager Ryan Poles told Williams, “We’re
drafting you no matter what.”
Williams resigned himself to being selected by Chicago with the No.
1 pick, and after a pre-draft visit to the team facility, he
believed he could help lead a turnaround.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson smiles as he talks to media at
a news conference after NFL football practice in Lake Forest, Ill.,
Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Williams threw for 20 touchdowns, was intercepted
six times and took a franchise-record and league-leading 68 sacks as
a rookie. The Bears lost 10 straight and finished last in the NFC
North at 5-12. They fired Waldron after nine games and let coach
Matt Eberflus go after a loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
“I think every single day he’s trying to get better," safety Kevin
Byard said. “He’s still a really good, talented young quarterback in
this league and he’s trying to get better every day, and that’s all
I see from him. Just working every single day, staying late,
obviously meeting with Ben and all those guys. We’re trying to right
the ship.”
Chicago landed the top coaching candidate on the market in January
when Johnson agreed to take the job after spending three seasons as
the Lions' offensive coordinator. Williams said at the time he was
“insanely excited” when he found out.
The Bears also overhauled their offensive line in an effort to give
their quarterback the protection he needs. The most notable move was
a trade with Kansas City for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, who
finalized a two-year, $35 million contract extension on Wednesday.
“You can just feel from every position group — from offense,
defense, special teams — just the desire, the push to keep working,
keep getting better, keep improving,” he said.
Thuney likes what he's seeing from Williams.
“He works really hard,” he said. “You can tell how much he cares
about this sport, and he’s always in here. Whenever I come in, I see
him. He’s been doing great, and so far so good.”
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