People tried to find reasons why Caleb Williams didn’t have the rookie season he probably should’ve when compared to guys like Jayden Daniels or Bo Nix. There were plenty of viable ones, such as an undermanned offensive line. However, the persistent issue raised by multiple teammates over the previous months was remarkable passivity from the coaching staff. Former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and even head coach Matt Eberflus weren’t holding guys accountable in practice enough, including Williams.
After the regular season finale in Green Bay, the quarterback was asked what he hoped for in the next head coach. His answer was similar to those of his teammates.
“I would say just challenge me,” Williams said. “Whether it’s pulling me aside and saying whatever — having talks consistently. Maybe having a list of things, we want to accomplish, myself first — that helps the team. From there help find ways to set goals. However it might work out, just challenge. Find ways to help better myself and better the team.”
A couple of weeks later, after an extensive search involving 17 candidates, the Bears hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. It was indisputable that the 38-year-old had outstanding success for three straight years, but some wondered if he had the personality to get the most out of his quarterback. These comments from Jared Goff last September about Johnson said it all.
“He’s not afraid to coach me and coach me hard and that’s what I crave,” Goff said. “I love being coached hard and I love getting feedback. He wants me to be great as much as I want to be great and it’s fun to play for a guy like that.”
Caleb Williams shouldn’t expect the coddling treatment anymore.
This is a signal from GM Ryan Poles and the front office that they took what the players said to heart. He even went so far as to say Williams tended to skip some steps in his game preparations, which often led to his consistency issues. That again goes back to coaching. It isn’t a coincidence guys like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have had such glittering success. Both were groomed by knowledgeable and demanding head coaches, Bill Belichick and Andy Reid. Yes, players should be expected to have strong work ethics, but they’re still human, prone to cutting corners whenever possible.
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Coaches are responsible for not letting the little things slide. You can’t do that and expect to win in this league. It sounds like Johnson is a perfectionist, keen on getting every detail right. It reflects in how Goff has played for three years, putting together the most efficient sequence of his career. If Caleb Williams is willing to put in the work and accept the coaching, he will evolve as a quarterback in ways people have dreamed of for years.
To be honest: TWTY was Caleb’s greatest supporter! TGena has been the most correct about Poles’ ineptitude! I was one of the first to systematically put Ben Johnson not only as my #1 Favorite, but also the Bears most likely selection due to George and Virginia, not Warren and Poles. On top of this, my Detroit family and Detroit area in-laws are Lions fans to the max since 1960, are real insiders well beyond season ticket holders, and are professional betters keeping abreast with the littlest of things. They even know the families of several coaches and players personally. They… Read more »
Nurse Sally, you keep saying “my man Ben” as if you taught him everything he knows. Keep meowing little pussy cat.
I never thought anyone could turn Goff around. My man, Ben, had to be the primary mover here.
As it turned out Eberflus was nothing but a DC, The Bears brought in another coach in Waldron who had a system learned from someone else. Meaning he couldn’t develop his own plan for Caleb. So really it was a season doomed for failure from the start. I’m scared to even say this, we have an OC/HC who is a free thinker and will build the offense around Caleb and the talent on the team. if they bring in Allen he won’t have really bother with the defensive side because Allen ran a comparable 4-3 also and was a head… Read more »
People were saying that Johnson was too calm or soft spoken to become a great HC. Multiple reports say that he’s a stickler in practice and can get very animated often cursing at the players. He’s a perfectionist that cares about the minute details from every single person on every single play. He’ll do just fine as a HC. He’s going to do everything possible to get what he envisions in a team because he knows this opportunity doesn’t come around for everyone. He earned it for a reason. You could argue that Flus never actually earned becoming a HC.… Read more »