The Chicago Bears are coming off their most successful season in years, and much of that momentum centers on the evolving partnership between quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson. During a recent appearance on The Rush with Maxx Crosby, Williams offered insight into how that relationship has developed behind the scenes.
Caleb Williams Details Growth With Ben Johnson
Williams was specific when characterizing Johnson. He also elaborated about an adjustment period centered on understanding how Johnson communicates.
“He’s a unique cat. Love him to death,” Williams said. “He’s like a mad scientist that doesn’t speak like what he’s thinking. So you’re sitting there from my position trying to figure him out.”
Williams explained that time spent in meetings and in daily interactions helped bridge that gap. He added that Johnson’s personality can be understated.
“I’ve gotten a lot better with it over time now,” Williams said. “All the meetings, seeing his family and how he is, understanding when it’s business time, figuring out his humor. He’ll crack jokes, but you think he’s dead serious. Then he’ll say it was a joke. Because he’s always so serious.”
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Williams also emphasized Johnson’s competitive edge, which NFL fans saw up close when the Bears shared his now viral postgame celebration following a Week 13 win against the Eagles.
“He’s like us. He wants to whoop everybody’s ass,” Williams said. “He’s like a player in a sense. He wants to beat every coach, every defense. For me, I love it because I feel the same way.”
Johnson was named the 18th full-time head coach in franchise history last off-season. He was the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. During that span, Detroit’s offense ranked top-five in total yards each season and averaged a league-high 32.4 points per game in 2024. The Lions posted 15 regular-season wins in 2024 and finished No. 2 in total offense.
In his first season in Chicago, Johnson led the Bears to an 11-6 record and an NFC North title. The team produced more than 6,000 total yards and scored 52 offensive touchdowns before falling in the NFC Divisional Round to the Rams.
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Williams’ development coincided with that turnaround. After a 5-12 rookie season in 2024 in which he threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns and took a league-high 68 sacks, Williams improved in 2025.
He finished with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, plus nearly 400 rushing yards and three scores. The Bears’ offense ranked 10th in PFSN’s OFFi Metric, and Williams ranked 20th in PFSN’s QBi.
Williams acknowledged that building trust and understanding with Johnson has been an ongoing process.
“Our relationship has been fun to build and grow,” Williams said. “It’s going to be fun for the next couple years.”
Chicago enters 2026 with continuity in its coaching staff and quarterback position, anchored by a pairing that has already delivered a division title in its first season together.
