Full Breakdown
Caleb Williams Says Offseason Practices Are “A Hell of a Lot More Fun” in Ben Johnson’s Offense
6/14/2026, 8:36:55 PM
The Offseason Shift: From Drowning to Swimming
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams described this year’s offseason as markedly more enjoyable than the previous one. After feeling “like I was drowning, trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around last year,” Williams said the current preparation allows him to “calmly swim through the offseason.” He credited the ability to build on the prior year’s play calls, terminology, and language as the primary advantage.
Background: Ben Johnson’s Offensive Evolution
Head coach Ben Johnson, who took over the Bears’ offense, has emphasized a learning curve for his quarterbacks. Earlier in the offseason, Johnson noted that his quarterbacks appear more comfortable in his system than they did a year prior. This observation aligns with Williams’s own assessment of increased familiarity with the offensive scheme.
Key Figures
- Caleb Williams – Second-year Bears quarterback tasked with mastering Johnson’s playbook.
- Ben Johnson – Head coach designing the Bears’ offense.
- Eric Studesville – Running backs coach who heard Williams’s “drowning” analogy.
Official Statements & Responses
Ben Johnson publicly stated that his quarterbacks “look more comfortable in his offense than they looked a year ago,” underscoring the coaching staff’s belief in progressive improvement. Eric Studesville’s informal exchange with Williams, in which the quarterback used the “drowning” metaphor, illustrates internal acknowledgment of the prior challenges.
Why It Matters: Potential for a High-Scoring Bears Attack
Williams expressed confidence that his growing comfort will translate into precise ball placement: “I’m gaining confidence and getting better at putting the ball exactly where my receivers want it.” He also identified a personal objective: “one of my goals is for the Bears to be the highest-scoring offense in the NFL.” If realized, this ambition could elevate fan enthusiasm and reshape the team’s competitive outlook.
What’s Next: Goals and Expectations for the Upcoming Season
Entering the regular season, Williams aims to leverage his offseason progress to lead a more efficient and prolific offense. The Bears’ coaching staff expects the quarterback’s enhanced familiarity with terminology and play design to reduce early-season growing pains and to position the team as a scoring contender.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year,” — Caleb Williams, Bears quarterback
- “I was saying it to Coach Studes, ‘Dude, I feel like I was drowning, trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around last year.’ Now this year, it’s being able to start what we finished last year, play calls and words and verbiage and speak the same language, and now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season, speaking on things that really helps throughout the year, and later in the year. That’s the advantage.” — Caleb Williams
- “’ Now this year, it’s being able to start what we finished last year, play calls and words and verbiage and speak the same language, and now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season, speaking on things that really helps throughout the year, and later in the year.” — Caleb Williams
- “Williams said he believes he’s gaining confidence and getting better at putting the ball exactly where his receivers want it.” — Caleb Williams
