As the Chicago Bears embark on the 2025 season, their leadership is firmly focused on building a championship-caliber team. With a renewed sense of optimism, head coach Ben Johnson’s vision for the Bears’ future has generated excitement, especially with the team’s ambitions to surround franchise quarterback Justin Fields with a balanced offense and a more dominant defense. However, while the Bears have plenty of work to do in terms of roster construction, one major storyline is the team’s potential pursuit of quarterback Caleb Williams, who is expected to be the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
At the NFL owners’ meetings, Ben Johnson offered an in-depth look at his approach to developing future stars, including his thoughts on Williams’ offseason preparation. In a candid moment, Johnson described Williams’ approach as “Back to the Basics,” emphasizing the need for the young quarterback to focus on honing his foundational skills in preparation for the demands of the NFL.
While the Bears currently have Fields under center, the possibility of the team acquiring a top quarterback prospect like Williams is a central talking point for fans and analysts alike. With Johnson’s insights into Williams’ offseason plan, we gain a deeper understanding of his coaching philosophy, what he expects from elite quarterback prospects, and why focusing on the fundamentals is a timeless strategy for success.
In this article, we will explore what Johnson’s “Back to the Basics” philosophy entails, why it’s vital for Caleb Williams’ preparation, and how the Bears may align their strategy in the draft to find a quarterback who can lead them to long-term success.
The Importance of Fundamentals for Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks in the NFL face an incredible amount of pressure. They are expected to execute complex offenses while under constant duress from aggressive defenses. The ability to quickly process information, make precise throws, and maintain composure in high-stress situations are non-negotiable skills. However, these advanced traits can only be effectively applied if the quarterback has a solid grasp of the fundamental skills that form the foundation of their play.
In many ways, “Back to the Basics” is a return to what makes a quarterback great: mechanics, footwork, decision-making, and mental toughness. For Ben Johnson, the basics aren’t just about throwing the football accurately—they encompass everything that leads to a quarterback being able to thrive in the NFL.
Johnson has been clear that even the most talented quarterbacks, such as Williams, need to hone their core skills in preparation for the NFL’s elevated level of competition. Whether it’s improving throwing mechanics, deepening understanding of defensive coverages, or mastering the mental side of the game, the basics are what set apart the good quarterbacks from the great ones.
By focusing on these aspects, Williams can better translate his college success into professional achievement. Johnson’s commitment to grounding players in the fundamentals is a key piece of his long-term plan for building a successful team.
Ben Johnson’s Coaching Philosophy: Focus on the Fundamentals
As a head coach, Ben Johnson has consistently advocated for building from the ground up. In his time coaching with the Detroit Lions and now with the Chicago Bears, Johnson has developed a reputation for his attention to detail and a strong belief in the importance of fundamentals. His philosophy is clear: the foundation of success is built on a sturdy base. He doesn’t believe in shortcuts, and he’s not one to get lost in the flash of highlight-reel plays or immediate results.
This approach has already influenced how the Bears are building their roster and coaching their players. On offense, Johnson has stressed a balanced attack that doesn’t just rely on star power but ensures that every player understands their role and executes it well. For Williams, this philosophy means making sure that he’s mentally and physically prepared to play in a way that emphasizes consistency and excellence in execution.
“Every player—especially quarterbacks—has the tools to be successful, but those tools need to be honed,” Johnson said during the owners’ meeting. “For Caleb, it’s about focusing on the basics of what makes a quarterback great. It’s about refining his mechanics, reading defenses, and understanding the mental game. He has the physical ability, now it’s about building on what’s already there.”
This approach is a blueprint for future development, whether Williams ends up with the Bears or another team. Regardless, Johnson’s commitment to developing quarterbacks around the core fundamentals will be a central aspect of his leadership style moving forward.
Caleb Williams: A Phenomenal Talent with Room to Grow
Caleb Williams enters the 2025 NFL Draft as the most highly anticipated quarterback prospect in years. After an incredible career at the University of Southern California (USC), Williams has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability has garnered the attention of NFL scouts, making him the presumptive number one overall pick.
However, despite his tremendous physical gifts, Williams, like any young player, has areas for improvement. Johnson’s emphasis on “Back to the Basics” is rooted in a belief that Williams, like all quarterbacks, must continue to develop his craft, refine his mechanics, and master the mental aspects of the game.
Refining Mechanics: Footwork and Delivery
One of the key areas Johnson highlighted in his discussion was the importance of refining Williams’ throwing mechanics, particularly his footwork and throwing motion. In college, Williams demonstrated the ability to make incredible throws from multiple platforms—whether he was in the pocket, on the run, or throwing off-platform. This creativity is what makes him such a dangerous player. However, in the NFL, consistency and precision become paramount.
“Caleb has all the arm talent you could want. But like every quarterback, it’s the small details in his footwork and throwing motion that can make a huge difference when the game speeds up,” Johnson explained.
For Williams, refining his footwork—particularly in dropbacks, resetting after pressure, and executing quick-release throws—will be a focal point of his offseason preparation. The NFL is a much faster game than college football, and Williams’ ability to execute these mechanics consistently will help him make faster, more accurate throws under pressure.
Reading Defenses: Mental Growth
While Williams has shown the ability to make jaw-dropping plays, Johnson emphasized that reading defenses will be a significant part of the “Back to the Basics” plan. At USC, Williams often faced defenses that were more predictable, and he frequently had the ability to rely on his physical talent to make plays. However, in the NFL, quarterbacks face defenses that disguise their intentions and adapt quickly.
To thrive at the next level, Williams must focus on recognizing defensive alignments, understanding blitz packages, and making quick decisions based on the defensive structure. This means Williams will need to refine his pre-snap reads, work on identifying coverages, and improve his ability to make quick decisions under duress.
“Reading defenses is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone,” Johnson explained. “It takes time, repetition, and a deep understanding of what the defense is trying to do. Caleb has that potential, and with the right development, he can become a master of it.”
This mental growth is often what separates good quarterbacks from great ones. By focusing on this area, Williams can enhance his ability to make the right decisions and avoid turnovers, which is critical in the NFL.
NFL Speed and Decision-Making Under Pressure
One of the aspects of Williams’ game that Johnson is most eager to work on is his decision-making speed under pressure. College quarterbacks often have more time to make decisions, especially when playing against less experienced defenses. In the NFL, however, the speed of the game is much faster, and defenders are quicker to close on the quarterback.
Johnson highlighted the importance of Williams adjusting to the speed of the game, particularly when under pressure. This means developing the mental discipline to not only make quick decisions but to also know when to throw the ball away, check down, or move the ball to a secondary option. Learning to manage pressure while keeping the team’s offensive game plan intact will be a critical aspect of Williams’ development.
“The NFL is all about quick decisions. You have to know when to stand firm and when to escape,” Johnson said. “That’s a learned skill, and Caleb is going to work on that this offseason.”
Mental Toughness and Resilience
A critical piece of Johnson’s “Back to the Basics” philosophy is mental toughness and resilience. Williams, like every NFL quarterback, will face adversity. Whether it’s a bad game, a tough loss, or a period of poor play, the ability to bounce back is essential for long-term success.
For Johnson, this means instilling a mindset of perseverance and growth, ensuring that Williams can stay focused and positive when faced with adversity. “There’s a lot of pressure on these young quarterbacks, and how they handle adversity is what ultimately separates the elite players from the rest,” Johnson noted. “It’s about having the mental fortitude to keep going, no matter what.”
The Bears’ Quarterback Situation: A Future with Caleb Williams?
While the Bears currently have Justin Fields as their starting quarterback, the idea of adding a top-tier talent like Caleb Williams is tantalizing. Although Johnson has expressed full support for Fields, the Bears’ front office will have decisions to make regarding their long-term quarterback plan. If the Bears end up with the opportunity to select Williams in the 2025 draft, Johnson will need to integrate him into the offense while ensuring that he receives the mentorship and development necessary to succeed at the highest level.
Whether the Bears select Williams or not, Johnson’s “Back to the Basics” approach remains relevant for the team’s future. His commitment to building quarterbacks around sound fundamentals, mental toughness, and growth is central to his overall coaching philosophy.