Caleb Williams, Bears 'Turning the Page' After NFL Draft Rumor, HC Ben Johnson Says

Last week, excerpts from Seth Wickersham's American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback revealed that quarterback Caleb Williams didn't want to get drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2024, to the point that his father reportedly told several agents as much.

The Bears ended up drafting Williams anyway, of course, and on Wednesday head coach Ben Johnson said the quarterback and team are leaving the past in the past.

"It's come to my attention that the quarterback's been out in the media over the last week," he told reporters. "And just to get out in front of that a little bit, I just wanted to say I wasn't here last year, and so I can't speak too much in terms of what it was like before he got here and when he got here last year. But from my four months on the job, he's been outstanding to work with. And we just are focused on getting a little better every day."

"He's his own man," Johnson added of Williams. "He's going to be treated as such. I think we're both really looking forward to turning the page on years prior and focusing on the here and now."

Johnson's hiring this offseason should help mitigate one of Williams' bigger concerns with the Bears, which according to Wickersham was questions about former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Johnson is one of the most dynamic play-callers and play designers in the sport and brought aboard former Denver Broncos' tight ends coach Declan Doyle to serve as his offensive coordinator.

Chicago hasn't had a great run of quarterback play in its more recent history, creating the narrative that it isn't a great place for signal-callers to wind up. Johnson is looking forward to reversing that trend with Williams, however.

"I love it. I love the opportunity to come on in and change that narrative," he said. "That's where great stories are written. So, we're looking to write a new chapter here—2025 Chicago Bears—and looking forward to the future."

Williams' rookie season didn't exactly buck the trend. He finished with 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 62.5 percent of his passes and taking an NFL-worst 68 sacks. The Bears were just 5-12 in his starts, and his rookie season was overshadowed by the dynamic play of the No. 2 overall pick, Washington's Jayden Daniels.

Granted, the scheme of head coach Matt Eberflus and Waldron didn't do him many favors. Neither did the offensive line. The Bears addressed both this offseason, hiring Johnson, trading for veteran guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, signing veteran center Drew Dalman and drafting offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round.

Expectations are high in Chicago. Johnson wants the team focused on the future, not the past. If Williams puts up big numbers in his sophomore campaign, it will be far easier to leave the past behind.