Friday, October 3, 2025

Bears want OTA practices to hum, even as Caleb Williams stays mum

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Introduction to the Bears’ Offseason

At some point during the offseason, coach Ben Johnson said, almost every single Bears player has walked into a coordinator’s office — or that of the new head coach — and said they wanted to be coached with intensity.
“The great ones, they want to be coached hard,” Johnson said. “That’s really the assumption we’re making with all these guys.”

The Coaching Staff’s Approach

This is the time of year when the coaching staff can see who means it. The Bears will open practice to the media again Wednesday and it’s unclear whether Williams will go to the podium to answer what has become the Bears’ looming offseason question. It’s up to Williams will explain the report that he wanted to be drafted by the Vikings — and that he and his father debated whether or not to trash the city of Chicago to get there.

Caleb Williams’ Situation

The Bears’ quarterback is in the midst of his second week of voluntary OTA practices with the new head coach. He’ll also have to answer — eventually — just how happy he is in Chicago after a rookie season that saw he and his father Carl’s biggest fears come true. On the field, he’s likely just as uncomfortable as he will be whenever he answers those questions. Johnson is not afraid to make his players uneasy during practice.

Coaching Style

Johnson showed as much last week, barking loudly at tight end Cole Kmet for lining up in the wrong spot. Asked how typical showing such agitation was, Johnson smiled, saying that he thought that was normal. “Everyone seems to be really intent, intense and focused,” guard Joe Thuney, who won Super Bowls for the Chiefs and Patriots, said last week.

Comparison to Last Year

That wasn’t the case last year. After only three games, the Bears’ leadership council met with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and practically begged him to coach them with more intensity and hold players accountable for their mistakes. It’s only May — but they’re not asking that question anymore. “We’ve got really good teachers here, and we got people that hold people really accountable — like Ben,” special teams coach Richard Hightower said. “He don’t mess around.”

Conclusion

The Bears are looking to make a statement this season, and it starts with their offseason practices. With a new coaching staff and a renewed sense of intensity, the team is looking to put last year’s disappointments behind them. As they head into the new season, all eyes will be on Caleb Williams and how he responds to the challenges ahead.

FAQs

  • Q: What is the current situation with Caleb Williams and the Bears?
    A: Caleb Williams is currently participating in voluntary OTA practices with the Bears, but has not yet addressed the media about reports that he wanted to be drafted by the Vikings.
  • Q: What is the coaching style of the new head coach, Ben Johnson?
    A: Ben Johnson is known for being intense and holding players accountable for their mistakes, as seen in his interactions with players during practice.
  • Q: How does this year’s team compare to last year’s?
    A: This year’s team seems to be more focused and intense, with players praising the coaching staff for holding them accountable and pushing them to improve.
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