Can Ben Johnson Unlock Caleb Williams’ Potential? Inside the Bears’ New Offensive Strategy
The Chicago Bears haven’t seen a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single season in the franchise’s entire 105-year history. That’s a statistic that new head coach Ben Johnson is determined to change. After a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024, the Bears cleaned house and brought in Johnson, the former offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, to revitalize their offense and unlock the full potential of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. The question on every Bears fan’s mind: Can Ben Johnson unlock Caleb Williams’ Potential? Inside the Bears’ New Offensive Strategy.
The Ben Johnson Effect
Ben Johnson’s arrival in Chicago has been met with considerable excitement. During his time in Detroit, Johnson transformed the Lions’ offense into one of the league’s most explosive units. In 2024, the Lions boasted the NFL’s top-scoring offense, averaging a franchise-record 409.5 yards per game and scoring 68 total touchdowns. Johnson’s innovative play-calling and ability to exploit opponent weaknesses made him a highly sought-after coaching candidate, and the Bears ultimately won the sweepstakes.
“A proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation, we are excited to welcome Ben and his family to Chicago as our head coach,” said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Johnson’s success in Detroit wasn’t just about scheme; it was about tailoring the offense to the strengths of his players. He maximized quarterback Jared Goff’s abilities by implementing a timing-based passing attack and a strong running game. Now, he faces the challenge of doing the same for Caleb Williams.
Building Around Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, entered the league with sky-high expectations. While his rookie season had flashes of brilliance, it was also marked by inconsistency and struggles. Williams often found himself under pressure due to a porous offensive line, and the team’s offensive scheme lacked the creativity needed to fully utilize his talents. According to an ESPN report, Williams even explored options to avoid being drafted by the Bears, a testament to the team’s reputation for struggling to develop quarterbacks.
Ben Johnson is determined to change that narrative. “This offense will be calibrated with him in mind,” Johnson said during his introductory press conference. “We’re going to build this thing. This is not simply a dropping of a previous playbook down on the table and starting there. Nope, we are going to tear it down and rebuild it.”
Johnson’s plan involves a complete overhaul of the Bears’ offensive scheme, tailoring it to Williams’ strengths as a dual-threat quarterback with exceptional arm talent and playmaking ability. “Offenses don’t function that way without a guy like Ben. He’s had many different quarterbacks, been around many different types of teams and things like that,” Williams said. “So being able to learn from him in those ways and execute crazy things that people like Tom Brady hadn’t even seen. That brings excitement.”
A New Offensive Line
One of the biggest priorities for the Bears this offseason was to revamp their offensive line, which allowed a league-worst 68 sacks in 2024. General manager Ryan Poles addressed this need by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman. The Bears also drafted tackle Ozzy Trapilo, adding depth and versatility to the unit.
“We want some tough, some gritty, some dirty individuals, and we feel pretty good about the two guys we got,” Johnson said, referring to Thuney and Jackson. These additions should provide Williams with the protection he needs to make plays and allow the Bears to establish a more consistent running game.
Offensive line coach Dan Roushar has revealed that the Bears plan to implement a wide-zone rushing scheme, similar to the one he used with Sean Payton in New Orleans. This scheme requires athletic offensive linemen who can get out in space and block, which aligns with the team’s acquisitions of Thuney and Dalman.
Explosive Playmakers
In addition to improving the offensive line, the Bears have also added more weapons for Williams in the passing game. The team drafted tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III, giving Williams a diverse group of targets that includes DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet.
“There’s lots of explosive plays in there,” Odunze said when asked about Johnson’s offense. “That’s what he hunts for. He talks about explosive plays almost every day.” Johnson’s focus on creating explosive plays should help the Bears improve their passing game, which ranked near the bottom of the league in 2024.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism surrounding the Bears’ new offensive strategy, there are still challenges ahead. The team faces the second-hardest schedule in the NFL, with games against tough opponents in the NFC North and AFC North.
The running back position remains a question mark, with D’Andre Swift expected to lead the way but without a proven track record as a consistent starter. The Bears will need Swift and Roschon Johnson to step up and provide a reliable running game to take pressure off Williams.
Expectations for 2025
The Bears are widely expected to improve in 2025, with some analysts predicting they could make a worst-to-first jump in their division. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes that Williams’ growth in his second year, combined with the revamped offensive line, could lead to a significant turnaround.
While some projections have Williams throwing for over 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns, others are more conservative, forecasting around 3,400 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Regardless of the specific numbers, the expectation is that Williams will take a significant step forward under Johnson’s guidance.
Ben Johnson’s arrival in Chicago has brought a renewed sense of hope to Bears fans. With a revamped offensive line, explosive playmakers, and a scheme tailored to Caleb Williams’ strengths, the Bears have the potential to become one of the league’s most exciting offenses. Whether Johnson can fully unlock Williams’ potential remains to be seen, but the pieces are in place for a significant improvement in 2025.