Bears coach Ben Johnson softens his tone as QB Caleb Williams no longer 'drowning' in offense
<p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears" target="_blank" >Bears</a> quarterback <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/08/31/why-do-so-many-people-hate-bears-qb-caleb-williams-he-answers-exactly-that-question" >Caleb Williams</a> could write a book about the misadventures of his first two training camps, and a tell-all on that alone would be a pretty good read.</p><p>First there was his rookie onboarding, which would be a scramble for anyone, but even more so under coach Matt Eberflus’ dysfunctional staff, then the relentless deluge of information and criticism from Ben Johnson in their first camp together. The latter was such an intense experience for Williams that he believed Johnson didn’t like him and described it as “drowning.”</p><p>Camp has been just as strenuous this year — Johnson has no let-up, ever — but Williams is far more at ease with it.</p><p>He still has a lot of work to do and a lot to prove, particularly as a consistent, efficient passer, but this part of the process is more comfortable.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears" target="_blank" >Bears</a> quarterback <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/08/31/why-do-so-many-people-hate-bears-qb-caleb-williams-he-answers-exactly-that-question" >Caleb Williams</a> could write a book about the misadventures of his first two training camps, and a tell-all on that alone would be a pretty good read.</p><p>First there was his rookie onboarding, which would be a scramble for anyone, but even more so under coach Matt Eberflus’ dysfunctional staff, then the relentless deluge of information and criticism from Ben Johnson in their first camp together. The latter was such an intense experience for Williams that he believed Johnson didn’t like him and described it as “drowning.”</p><p>Camp has been just as strenuous this year — Johnson has no let-up, ever — but Williams is far more at ease with it.</p><p>He still has a lot of work to do and a lot to prove, particularly as a consistent, efficient passer, but this part of the process is more comfortable. He knows what Johnson wants and how he sees the game, and he accepts that there will be great days and bad ones — neither of which should make him overreact.</p><p>“I’m head above water,” he said, laughing to himself.</p><p>It helps to have a handle on what Johnson wants, and Johnson said Williams has been able to identify his mistakes without needing them pointed out. That’s the first step toward making fewer of them, and the real test of that won’t come until the opener Sept.
Read the full report at Chicago Sun-Times ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- <p><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears" target="_blank" >Bears</a> quarterback <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/08/31/why-do-so-many-people-hate-bears-qb-caleb-williams-he-answers-exactly-that-question" >Caleb Williams</a> could write a book about the misadventures of his first two training camps, and a tell-all on that alone would be a pretty good read.</p><p>First there was his rookie onboarding, which would be a scramble for anyone, but even more so under coach Matt Eberflus’ dysfunctional staff, then the relentless deluge of information and criticism from Ben Johnson in their first camp together. The latter was such an intense experience for Williams that he believed Johnson didn’t like him and described it as “drowning.”</p><p>Camp has been just as strenuous this year — Johnson has no let-up, ever — but Williams is far more at ease with it.</p><p>He still has a lot of work to do and a lot to prove, particularly as a consistent, efficient passer, but this part of the process is more comfortable.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 1m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Bears coach Ben Johnson softens his tone as QB Caleb Williams no longer 'drowning' in offense
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times