As the Ben Johnson era continues for the Chicago Bears, one of the major questions all offseason will be what the first-year head coaches plan is to develop quarterback Caleb Williams. One of the worst-kept secrets across the football world right now is that Johnson will work directly with the former No. 1 overall pick while running the offense.
After an impressive rookie season, expectations are high. And with the recent hires that the franchise has made, it’s clear that Johnson is doing everything he can to ensure the Bears finally get out of quarterback purgatory.
The Voices in the Quarterback Room Provide a Unique Perspective for Williams
Since being named head coach, Johnson has hired a number of assistants, including J.T. Barrett and Declan Doyle.
Johnson spent four years (2021-2024) with the Detroit Lions, overseeing the resurgence of Jared Goff, a player that many thought was simply acquired to be a bridge quarterback.
But the real value of hiring Doyle and Barrett to the staff will be that both bring different perspectives in the context of quarterback development.
Barrett, a former starter at Ohio State, and backup in the league was an assistant with the Lions for three seasons. The ability to see the game from a players point of view will be so critical for Williams mental development.
Doyle was the Denver Broncos tight ends coach from 2023-24 for two seasons under Sean Payton, a role which allowed him to have a front row seat to Bo Nix’s development. Williams counterpart, Nix quickly became one of the league’s hottest rookie quarterbacks, cementing his status as the future of the Broncos.
Finding a Balancing Act
As exciting as the possibility that Williams will have three voices in the room developing Williams is, the Johnson, Doyle, and Barrett will also need to find a balance.
Too many voices in the room could also lead to a recipe for disaster, something that the Bears need to be prepared for. Nothing is guaranteed in a league like the NFL and quite frankly, Johnson need to ensure that there is a backup plan in place in the event that Williams development doesn’t go as planned.
But for now, the optimism remains as the Bears continue to look ahead to the 2025 offseason and the regular season, one in which the team has a legitimate chance to go from worst to first in a league where circumstances can change instantly.
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