NFL Coach Feels Caleb Williams' Play Has 'Frustrated' Bears HC Ben Johnson

Despite the Chicago Bears improving to 7-3 with a 19-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, some around the NFL are still questioning the connection between first-year head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.

The Athletic's Mike Sando spoke to an opposing defensive coach who suggested that Williams' style of play doesn't suit Johnson's style of coaching, and despite the team's success, Johnson is still hoping to develop the 2024 No. 1 pick into a reliable NFL starter.

"To be honest with you, I think Ben is frustrated with him," the defensive coach said. "Caleb doesn't play on time and doesn't do the things that allow that offense to get to the next level that Ben is used to. Ben was able to scheme up max-protection things for Jared (Goff) in Detroit and run guys open. This guy can't do that, so now it is all (off-schedule) ball, which is uncontrollable for a coach."

Johnson completed 16 of his 32 passes for 193 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's win. Chicago managed to earn the victory after Devin Duvernay's 56-yard kickoff return set up a 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos as time expired.

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Williams faced criticisms during his rookie year for failing to embrace the Bears' previous coaching regime. A former head coach told Sando that if he buys into Johnson's teachings and develops a better feel for when to make his trademark off-script plays, he could emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

"That is what he's gotta say, but you have to consider Caleb as a rookie, because he wasn't buying in before," the former head coach said. "He is learning how to play. There are a lot of games you are going to play in like the week before, when he ran (17) yards for the winning touchdown."

Williams will look to show more consistency when the Bears host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) next Sunday.