Training camp is about a week away, and the Chicago Bears still have to answer some questions, with the biggest one surrounding new head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine broke down each NFL team's cap space, the biggest needs, and the biggest question surrounding the team. With $15.4 million and edge rusher being at the top of team needs, the lingering question going into training camp is how quickly Johnson and Williams can get in sync together.
"Ben Johnson was brought to Chicago to get the most out of Caleb Williams.
Training camp is going to be where we really start to see what that process is going to look like.
The Bears spent a lot of resources making sure the second-year signal-caller will have the best offensive line they could build in front of him. They added Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to a receiving corps that already had DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.
Johnson now has a veteran offensive line to work with and the ability to put two capable tight ends on the field in Kmet and Loveland.
You can make an argument that the left tackle and running back spots still need upgraded to closer emulate what Johnson had in Detroit, but the offensive roster is fairly complete.
Now it's on Williams to show he can take advantage."
Can the Bears hit a home run with Williams and Johnson working together?
The reality is that Williams and Johnson are attached at the hip now. Williams is getting a second chance at his development after a forgettable 2024 season with so much chaos. Johnson needs to prove that he can elevate Williams' game the way he did with Jared Goff with the Detroit Lions.
Last year was tough on Williams with 68 sacks and three different playcallers. It's the biggest reason not many in the media have been too harsh on him. That doesn't excuse some of things he needs to work on with making quicker decisions in the pocket and not take the unnecessary sacks.
Johnson was able to take the Lions' offense to new heights that it hasn't been at for a long time. Over his last three years as offensive coordinator, the Lions' offense ranked in the top five in yards and points in each of those seasons.
A rebuilt offensive line and new young offensive talent have given Williams everything that he didn't have last season. Some of the top guys from last year, with D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, are back, which will give Williams some familiarity.
It all falls on Williams and Johnson in their first season together to show that the Bears are at least on the right path for the future.
