Last winter, just weeks after the Super Bowl, Ben Johnson shocked the NFL universe. The prized offensive mind spurned head-coaching offers from Washington and Seattle only to accept a rebuilding mission in Chicago. It wasn’t the Bears’ 5–12 season or draft resources that drew him in. It was one player that Johnson saw something in. He witnessed immense potential in Caleb Williams: raw materials, a creative flame, and a need for refinement. Six months on, Johnson is not just experimenting with Chicago’s offense—he is remodeling the entire structure with one aim: reaching Caleb’s long-term ceiling at whatever short-term cost.

According to multiple camp reports, Johnson has confirmed his boldest strategy. He is deliberately overloading Williams with complex installs, defensive disguises, and playbook overload in an attempt to fast-track the rookie’s growth. The phrase “drinking through a fire hose” has come up more than once, and not just from analysts. Albert Breer, who came to The Rich Eisen Show recently after a visit to Bears camp, described what that cliche truly signifies: “Developmentally, he had a long way to go coming out of USC. Then he had the really sideways rookie year.”

Breer mentioned that Williams’ camp display “did not look good” the day he observed, but explained that coaches anticipated this. Johnson was cited as instructing the coaches that Caleb must be overwhelmed early so the game can slow down later. The consequence? Practice repetitions that appear choppy, slowed, and sometimes, downright awkward for the No. 1 overall pick. But that’s the point.

Breer, who interviewed several people in the building, underscored that Caleb’s challenges are all part of the plan. “I believe the foundation for a solid team is there. I like what they’ve done on the offense line. The skill players are there,” he said to Eisen. “I think pairing Kiran Amegadjie and Darnell Wright with Cole Kmet—is a thing to do conceptually well.” But in Caleb’s operation, Breer stated the contrast is stark. Johnson is not constructing a Week 1 plan. He’s constructing a quarterback who can ultimately guide Chicago out of quarterback purgatory for the first time in decades.

And there’s history for this strategy. Johnson’s rehabilitation work with Jared Goff in Detroit was deliberate and long-term. He began by shielding Goff with a stout run game and play-action, slowly adding route complexity and audibles as trust was established. The twist here is that Caleb has a higher ceiling, but, due to his college experience, particularly the loosey-goosey, off-script USC offense, feels a little stuck. He was being forced to execute a rhythm-based system from the pocket while shedding old bad habits that contributed to him getting drafted. Simply put: Johnson is tearing him down before building him back up.

In 2024, Williams’ college-esque strategy struggled in pre-draft training, prompting some scouts to wonder if he was ready. While his arm ability and playmaking were never a question, his mechanics and processing in high-pressure situations had glaring inconsistencies. Chicago’s brass felt those could be corrected, particularly with Johnson on board. Now, with an entire offseason’s worth of reps and an increasing rapport between QB and coordinator, there’s hope that while Year 1 might be lumpy, Year 2 could be special.

Caleb’s growing pains reveal a deeper problem in Chicago

While Johnson’s vision is ambitious, it’s already made vulnerable how precarious the Bears’ quarterback system is. The veteran backups Keenum and Bagent have demonstrated a neater operation. Not so much because they’re more skilled quarterbacks, but because they know what Johnson demands. Caleb doesn’t, at least not yet. The difference in speed is evident to coaches and players, and it’s already caused some quiet murmurs within the building regarding just how steep the rookie’s learning curve actually is.

It doesn’t help that social media has magnified Williams’ worst moments. A few errant throws, missed reads, and visible frustration during training camp clips have drawn swift criticism, especially from national voices. But Bears staffers are urging patience, noting that most of these clips lack context. They argue that what fans see as “bad throws” are actually tests: unblocked pressures, unfamiliar route combinations, and disguised coverages thrown in deliberately to gauge Williams’ progress under duress.

Nevertheless, some of the adversity is legitimate. Williams has had a “sideways rookie year” in his head, meaning he wasn’t learning as quickly as anticipated during OTAs. His confidence has faltered at times, though he is still dialed in off the field. One staff member termed it “information overload,” not diminishing performance. Johnson, though, isn’t easing back. If anything, he’s doubling down, believing that the pains that come today will create a better foundation tomorrow.

That’s the essence of the Bears’ risk. Johnson’s not playing to win Week 1. He’s playing to win 2026. With firepower in the form of DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, and rookie Roman Dunay, the foundation is set for Caleb Williams to flourish. The once-troubled offensive line has become a sleeper strength. And the defense, coached now by Dennis Allen, should be solid. And Johnson is well aware of that. That’s why the game plan is still on track: take the kitchen sink tonight, and see what he can carry around in December.

In a league that demands rookie QBs to be ready by Halloween, Johnson is demanding Christmas. Perhaps even next Christmas. It’s a gamble but one he’s more than willing to make.