Bears Coach Details Williams' Areas for Growth

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has outlined specific areas where he wants to see quarterback Caleb Williams improve as he prepares for the 2026 NFL season. While Williams demonstrated progress in his second year, Johnson believes further development is crucial for the young quarterback to reach his full potential.

Focus on Pocket Presence and Decision-Making

Improving Timing and Extending Plays

A key area of focus for Williams is improving his decision-making regarding when to remain in the pocket to deliver a pass and when to extend plays by scrambling. Johnson highlighted Williams’ ability to overcome coaching errors and unexpected defensive schemes, stating, “That’s where Caleb comes in handy ... he can bail us out when we are wrong, which we’re going to be wrong each and every game.”

Johnson emphasized the importance of collaborative discussions in the quarterback room to refine these decisions. He wants to determine when to hold onto the ball for primary or secondary receivers and when to extend plays, while also capitalizing on those extended opportunities.

Accuracy on the Move

Williams Acknowledges Areas for Improvement

Williams himself has acknowledged the need for improvement in these areas. He expressed frustration with his accuracy while throwing on the run during the 2025 season, noting he missed “about five or six” throws in such situations. He stated, “It’s just being able to understand in those situations that even if I’m not hitting … how a QB run in those situations where maybe the defense calls a good call or a perfect call, the QB takes off and gets positive yards, I think I’ve done a good job with that so far this year.”

Despite acknowledging occasional shortcomings, Williams also highlighted his ability to gain positive yardage with his legs when facing difficult defensive plays.

Experience to Drive Development

As Williams gains more experience in the NFL, Johnson anticipates his decision-making will naturally improve. The slowing down of the game for the quarterback should contribute to better timing and more effective play extension.

Caleb Williams | David Banks-Imagn Images

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who has covered the NFL for major outlets such as Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News.