Caleb Williams became the first Chicago Bears quarterback in history to achieve the honor of being on the cover of a video game. Not just any video game, too. He will be the next face of the Madden franchise. This was unveiled this past week as EA explained that Williams’ achievements last season were an inspiration for the next generation of players. His Jumpman pose on the cover was both a nod to his incredible 4th and 8 conversion in the playoffs against Green Bay and an acknowledgment of Michael Jordan’s iconic skyline photo from years ago. Everybody is excited about this. Well, all except Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
He was asked about the announcement during his recent press conference. One would think he’d be happy for his young quarterback. It is a terrific individual achievement. Instead, Johnson shrugged it off, stating he had no meaningful reaction to it. If anything, he looked annoyed by it. This has led some to think that the head coach is actually unhappy about the honor. Dan Wiederer of The Athletic offered a theory on this, and it carries more than a little weight.
As for Bears head coach Ben Johnson? Well, his reaction was far more subdued.
“No reaction,” Johnson said stone-faced.
Zero elaboration from the coach, either.
Truth be told, given Johnson’s intense focus and assassin’s mentality, it’s fair to wonder if a small part of him was annoyed by the Madden recognition for Williams, which registers to many as a symbol of arrival, as a gold star presented to a still-developing young player working to master the hardest job in the sport.
Ben Johnson doesn’t need Williams thinking he’s arrived.
That is because, in his mind, the quarterback hasn’t. Last season was not a success for Johnson where Williams is concerned. Yes, the quarterback set a franchise record with 3,941 passing yards and scored 30 total touchdowns. It is the best season a Bears QB has ever had. That isn’t what Johnson likely remembers. He is thinking about the league-low 58% completion percentage and the five interceptions in two playoff games. Star quarterbacks don’t do things like that. Losers do.
This Madden cover stuff is unnecessary validation for a player who, in Johnson’s mind, hasn’t earned it yet. There is no question that the young quarterback is on the cusp of being special. He isn’t there yet. The last thing he needs is a bunch of suits and business people telling him otherwise. However, Johnson knows he can’t say anything like that publicly. It completely torpedoed team morale and caused an immediate media controversy. The best thing for him to do is stick to the original plan.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Keep grinding on Williams.
Ben Johnson might not be able to control what other people outside Halas Hall say to Williams, but he can sure control what he says. Being the head coach gives him certain perks in that regard. Since the offseason began, Johnson has been steadfast in saying that Williams still has a long way to go before he’s “arrived.” The completion percentage remains a central focus, and his ball placement has also become a topic of serious discussion. The quarterback must get better at giving his receivers a chance to catch and run.
Williams stated that his goal this season was to raise his Madden rating from 90 to 99 by the end of the year. He’s leaning into this stuff, which isn’t a crime. Still, it runs counter to Johnson’s thinking. The only true measurement of superstar status is winning a championship. Everything else is superficial. Nightmares of that interception in overtime against the Rams likely still haunt him. Until Williams can avoid doing things like that, Johnson won’t celebrate anything about his quarterback’s progress.
