When the Chicago Bears wrapped up their 2024 season with a feel-good win over the Green Bay Packers, the mood felt strangely mixed. There was optimism around the young core, headlined by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. But lingering questions remained about how the Bears were developing their franchise signal-caller. That uncertainty became more apparent when ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin recalled a pivotal moment in Williams’ rookie season: the response after the reason in which he voiced a specific desire for his next head coach.
“Somebody who’s gonna challenge me,” Williams said. “Not just when the season is going on, but starting in the offseason.”
Caleb Williams Demanding More: The Shift in Culture the Bears Needed
Those words didn’t just reflect a preference, they were an indictment of how things had gone wrong in his first season. The Bears went 5-12, and while many fingers pointed to the offensive line or the revolving door at offensive coordinator, Williams’ plea suggested the problem was deeper than that. According to Cronin and echoed by conversations with Bears general manager Ryan Poles, there was a clear lack of accountability and intensity within the team’s locker room, especially for a player of Williams’ caliber and potential.
From OTAs to training camp, multiple Bears players told Cronin that mistakes were often overlooked. The previous coaching staff failed to correct issues in real-time, stalling player development and setting a tone that didn’t reflect high expectations. Williams also believed he didn’t feel that the coaching last season was ever gonna be able to put him on the fast track for success, and the front office took notice.
Ryan Poles’ Realization and Ben Johnson’s Arrival
GettyThere’s a sense of optimism with Ryan Poles’ decision to hire Ben Johnson.
At the NFL league meetings in March, Poles acknowledged a core issue that held the Bears back last season. Speaking with Cronin, he admitted the problem wasn’t just about personnel or scheme. It was about culture.
“It wasn’t necessarily not having the right infrastructure in place,” Poles said. “It was about creating an environment that challenged Williams more so than babying him along.”
There was no fast track to success because there was no one pushing Williams. Heck, no one even watched film with him last season. That’s why hiring Ben Johnson was so crucial this offseason.
Johnson, who speaks the quarterback language as Cronin put it, has already built a strong rapport with Williams. The two have been in constant communication, and early signs from OTAs suggest the relationship is built on mutual respect and a shared ambition.
Williams has also backed up his words with action. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle revealed that Williams has been putting in extra work on his own time, which includes showing up on a Saturday to run through a script on his own at the team’s indoor facility. That type of initiative sends a message not only to the coaching staff but to the entire locker room: their quarterback is ready to lead and expects the same standard from everyone around him.
This urgency is different this time around. Williams knows what he needs to reach his potential, and now he’s getting that.
