Chicago Bears: "I don't want to put a cap on it": Ben Johnson makes feelings clear on Caleb Williams' ceiling after Bears QB's struggles in camp

Caleb Williams has been a hot topic in the NFL offseason after his shaky performance for the Chicago Bears in his rookie year. However, new coach Ben Johnson is optimistic about the Bears quarterback ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

On Tuesday's episode of ESPN's "First Things First," Johnson discussed Williams’ development since he took the job. When asked about the sophomore QB's upside, Johnson said:

“I don't want to even put a cap on it because he's got the ability. He's got rare ability to throw the football, and I feel strongly about that; his decision-making is coming along. He's taken the coaching, myself, JT Barrett, Declan Doyle, all these guys that we have in the quarterback room, he's taking that and he's working to apply it." [02:20]

“Now, is it coming so fast that we feel like he's going to be at his ceiling this year? No, absolutely not. But he's getting better every single day."

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Johnson's endorsement of Caleb Williams comes after a shaky preseason for the former USC Trojans star. From missed passes to frustration during training sessions, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner showed a wide range of emotions.

Also read: "Put on for the city in our new city": Angel Reese sends special message to Caleb Williams as Bears’ Arlington Heights move looms large

Ben Johnson breaks down Caleb Williams’ gameplay

During an appearance on "Up & Adams" last week, Johnson discussed the 23-year-old quarterback. He explained that Williams' skills made the Bears job appealing.

“Yeah, we have conversations about that all the time. Just playing with a little bit more discipline and structure within the system to distribute to the playmakers that we have on the perimeter. But at the same time, what has made him such a special player over the course of his career in college and in the pros so far has been that ability to create," Johnson said. [00:52]

In his last preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Williams completed 11 of 15 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. He also ran twice for 18 yards in the Bears’ 29-27 win.

Also read: Former NFLPA president warns Caleb Williams on repercussions of potentially struggling during preseason game vs. Bills

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Prasen is an NFL/College Sports analyst at Sportskeeda. A B.Tech/Civil Engineering graduate, he has two years of experience writing content.

For Prasen, providing historical angles relevant to the story is important, as it can give the reader useful information and help them relate it to the present. He thinks this keeps the content unique rather than just a bland reporting of facts. Prasen believes in fact-checking and researching relevant information as per the headline and context. He hates clickbait or misleading the reader.

A fan of the Colorado Buffaloes since Deion Sanders took over as coach, Prasen expects Coach Prime to make the Buffs a national championship contender. Nick Saban is his favorite all-time coach, while Baker Mayfield and Caitlin Clark are his favorite players. Prasen considers Vince Young coming up clutch for the Texas Longhorns in the dying seconds of the 2017 national championship game against the USC Trojans as the most iconic moment of all time.

Per Prasen, College Sports is competitive and garners attention but it is just the beginning, where a student-athlete can show their skills and potential to make it to the big leagues. When he is not researching and writing, Prasen’s hobbies include pursuing higher studies and playing sports.

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Edited by Prasen