Bears quarterback Caleb Williams says offseason work in Ben Johnson’s offense is far more enjoyable in Year 2, describing a year ago as “drowning” and now feeling able to “calmly swim” through the learning process. Williams also points to growing confidence, i
Caleb Williams didn’t hide the contrast.
In Year 2 with Ben Johnson’s offense, the Bears quarterback says offseason practices have gone from overwhelming to almost relaxing. A year ago. Williams believed he was being thrown into the deep end. trying to take in everything all at once. He described that feeling as drowning—trying to breathe while waiting for a way out.
“It’s a hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year,” Williams said. “I was saying it to Coach Studes. ‘Dude. I feel like I was drowning. trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around last year.’ Now this year. it’s being able to start what we finished last year. play calls and words and verbiage and speak the same language. and now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season. speaking on things that really helps throughout the year. and later in the year. That’s the advantage.”.
Williams framed the difference as timing and comfort. This offseason. he said he can build from where we left off last year—carrying over play calls. words. verbiage. and the ability to speak the same language. He also said that means he’s able to grow earlier, rather than picking things up partway through the season.
His comments also echo what Johnson said earlier this offseason: that his quarterbacks look more comfortable in the offense than they did a year ago. Williams added that he believes he’s gaining confidence, and getting better at putting the ball exactly where his receivers want it.
One clear target sits behind all of that progress. Williams said one of his goals is for the Bears to be the highest-scoring offense in the NFL.
For Chicago fans, it’s the kind of ambition that makes the work feel different—less survival mode, more momentum.
Caleb Williams Chicago Bears Ben Johnson offense Eric Studesville NFL offseason quarterback development highest-scoring offense
So he was drowning last year but now he’s swimming… sounds like same job just better vibes.
I don’t even know what verbiage means in football but okay. If they’re trying to be the highest scoring offense, that’s gonna require way more than “calmly swimming” lol.
“Study” Studesville or whatever—why they gotta rename everything? Also wasn’t the Bears like bad at scoring last year so idk if confidence fixes it. Maybe the play calls got easier because the defense got worse? Like come on.
This is lowkey the only QB update I care about. If he says it’s being able to start where they left off, that sounds like chemistry. But also he said last year he couldn’t breathe?? That’s wild. I hope it turns into points because “highest-scoring offense” is a big claim, like ESPN-level big.