Ben Johnson Puts Caleb Williams and Bears Offense on Notice After ‘Sloppy’ Training Camp Performance
The Chicago Bears have entered the 2025 NFL preseason with more buzz than they’ve had in decades, and a significant portion of that excitement centers around the arrival of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The former USC superstar and top overall pick in the NFL Draft has become the symbol of a long-awaited turnaround for a franchise that has spent far too long searching for a true answer under center. However, with great potential comes great responsibility—and first-year Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson made it clear during training camp that expectations must be met with discipline and execution.
Following a string of training camp practices that featured miscommunications, dropped passes, inconsistent protection, and timing issues between Williams and his receivers, Johnson didn’t hold back. The normally composed and measured play-caller sent a message that echoed through the halls of Halas Hall: the sloppiness must end, and the offense, from top to bottom, must tighten up.
“Too many sloppy mistakes,” Johnson said bluntly after practice. “Missed assignments. Poor mechanics. Bad reads. That’s not who we’re going to be. We’re going to clean this up, and it starts now.”
While Johnson never directly called out any single player, the underlying message was unmistakable. Caleb Williams, the centerpiece of the offense and the face of the franchise, is expected to lead the charge in fixing the unit’s execution issues. It’s not uncommon for rookie quarterbacks to struggle during training camp—especially when facing complex defensive looks for the first time—but Johnson’s frustration signaled that the Bears are demanding more accountability and precision than what they’ve seen thus far.
Williams’ camp has been a mixed bag. His arm talent is undeniable, and he’s delivered more than a few highlight-reel throws that left teammates and coaches nodding in approval. But alongside those flashes of brilliance have come moments of hesitation, overthrows, and breakdowns in timing that have stalled drives and frustrated the offensive coaching staff.
One play in particular captured the problem. During 11-on-11 drills, Williams took the snap and dropped back into a clean pocket. With DJ Moore running a crisp out route and rookie speedster Javon Baker streaking up the seam, the options were there. But Williams hesitated just a beat too long, second-guessed his first read, and floated a pass late across the middle that was nearly intercepted by a trailing linebacker. The defense erupted. The offense walked back to the huddle in silence.
Johnson’s critique wasn’t just about execution—it was about mentality. He wants his young quarterback to trust what he sees, commit to his reads, and eliminate the hesitation that can doom plays before they even develop. More than that, Johnson wants Williams and the entire offensive unit to embrace the urgency of the moment. This isn’t a rebuilding year; this is a team that believes it can compete. But to do that, it must operate with sharpness, cohesion, and energy that hasn’t consistently been present.
“Look, we’re not going to make excuses,” Johnson said. “This offense has the talent. But talent without focus is wasted. We’ve got to be sharp in everything we do—how we prepare, how we communicate, how we execute.”
The Bears’ offensive struggles during camp aren’t solely on Williams. The offensive line has faced growing pains, with several blown protections leading to pressure that forces Williams off his spot. Receivers have dropped catchable balls, and there’s still an evident lack of chemistry in some of the route timing. But Williams, by virtue of his position and status as the No. 1 pick, will be held to a higher standard.
Johnson understands the learning curve Williams is facing. He’s been in the league long enough to know that the transition from college to the NFL is daunting—especially when the mental load of processing blitzes, reading coverages, and making rapid decisions is so drastically amplified. Still, the Bears aren’t in the business of babysitting their franchise quarterback. They want to push him, and Johnson’s message is a calculated challenge designed to test his resilience and growth under pressure.
And the response from Williams? To his credit, the young quarterback didn’t shy away from the criticism. He acknowledged the offense’s struggles and took ownership of the mistakes.
“We’re not where we need to be,” Williams admitted after practice. “That’s on me as much as anyone. I’ve got to be better, and I will be. I’m learning, but that’s no excuse. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’m going to make sure we get there.”
His words resonated with teammates. Veteran offensive lineman Teven Jenkins echoed the sentiment, saying, “Caleb’s the real deal. He’s owning it. We’ve just all got to lock in. If we do, we can be dangerous.”
Johnson’s intensity during camp is not a surprise to those familiar with his coaching style. The former Lions offensive coordinator, widely regarded as one of the brightest minds in the game, built his reputation on precision and creativity. In Detroit, he helped Jared Goff revive his career with a system that emphasized timing, spacing, and disciplined execution. Now in Chicago, he’s tasked with molding a rookie quarterback into a star and building an offense capable of competing in a tough NFC North division.
Johnson’s challenge is twofold: install a system that maximizes Williams’ rare skill set while also demanding the attention to detail necessary to execute it at a high level. That starts in training camp, where habits are formed and identities are forged.
The “sloppy” mistakes Johnson referenced include everything from procedural penalties to botched handoffs, poor pre-snap recognition, and miscommunication on hot routes. These are issues that can—and must—be ironed out in the preseason. The Bears are emphasizing situational football in practices now, simulating everything from red zone drives to two-minute drills. Every rep is scrutinized. Every error is corrected in real time. There is no coasting through this phase of the process.
For Bears fans, the heightened expectations are warranted. The franchise has invested heavily in this offensive rebuild—selecting Williams first overall, acquiring DJ Moore, drafting offensive playmakers, and revamping the coaching staff to support quarterback development. Now, it’s about seeing that investment translate into consistent execution on the field.
As the team progresses through camp and prepares for its preseason opener, all eyes will be on how Williams and the offense respond. The criticism from Johnson wasn’t meant to deflate, but to galvanize. This is a wake-up call to an offense that has all the pieces but needs to find its rhythm. It’s a message to Williams that talent alone won’t carry him—he must lead, process quickly, and execute with confidence.
There’s no panic in Chicago yet. This is part of the process. But Johnson’s firm tone underscores that there’s no time to waste. The NFL doesn’t wait for rookies to catch up. The league is fast, punishing, and relentless. And if the Bears are going to take the leap everyone expects, they’ll need their young quarterback and offense to rise to the occasion.
Caleb Williams was brought to Chicago to change everything. But even the most transformative players must be shaped, challenged, and refined. Ben Johnson’s message is clear: the sloppiness stops now. It’s time for the Bears offense to grow up, lock in, and meet the moment.
