Bears Coach Johnson Seeks Body Language Change From QB Caleb Williams

The Chicago Bears are entering a pivotal second season with quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, who showed flashes of potential amid a challenging rookie year plagued by inconsistent body language and emotional reactions on the field. Head coach Ben Johnson, brought in from Detroit to lead the offense, is focusing heavily on improving Williams' demeanor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and avoiding a "palms-up" attitude that signals weakness. Johnson's approach extends beyond Williams to the entire team, aiming to instill a resilient, playoff-caliber mindset and correct the contagious negativity that affected player performance last season. Despite the Bears' strong start in 2024, their season collapsed after a critical loss, highlighting the need for mental toughness and leadership from Williams as the team's de facto captain. Williams, now more mature and with a year of experience, appears receptive to coaching and motivated to make necessary adjustments, including refining presnap procedures and controlling his reactions to adversity. The Bears have built a roster around Williams' talent, and the new coaching regime is determined to translate that potential into on-field success by fostering a confident, steady presence at quarterback.