Caleb Williams has largely similar numbers through the first seven games this season compared to his rookie year in 2024. There are some marked differences, though. His sack percentage is way down, and he has far fewer bouts where he looks like a deer in headlights. It is evident he has more command of the huddle and line of scrimmage. However, consistency and efficiency are still not yet there. The completion percentage remains too low (61.9%), and pre-snap penalties continue to be a persistent issue.

Some have started wondering if Williams will ever figure out how to play the position like a true professional. He still too often feels like he’s trying to recreate his magic from the USC days, not understanding it doesn’t work that way in the NFL. One expert isn’t worried. Benjamin Solak of ESPN has watched Williams carefully all season. He sees far more progress than people realize. In fact, he’s starting to see several similarities in his development to another prominent quarterback.

You may have heard of him.

It might seem like Williams is destined for the same path as Kyler Murray or Trevor Lawrence — a first-round pick talented enough to get a big second contract but not consistent enough to ever win with that cap weight hanging around his neck. We might eventually end up there. But even Murray and Lawrence were not and are not as physically talented as this. As such, I have an alternative career arc comp to make: Josh Allen.

Through Allen’s first two pro seasons, he had an off-target rate of 23.5%. Williams is at 21.3%. Like Williams, Allen was clearly physically capable of making all the requisite throws. But he was excitable in the pocket, his mechanics vacillated from throw to throw, and his shot selection was high difficulty. The light bulb went on for Allen in Year 3 under Brian Daboll — and after plenty of private offseason work on his mechanics.

Caleb Williams deserves the same grace period as Josh Allen got.

People forget the Buffalo Bills star was a rollercoaster through his first two seasons. He completed just 56.3% of his passes with 30 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. The reason he wasn’t under more scrutiny was his ability to score on the ground (17 touchdowns). Obviously, Caleb Williams isn’t 6’5 and 240 lbs. Allen finally got going in his third year, which was also his third season in the same offense. People cannot keep glossing over the fact that this is Williams’ first year in a new system under Ben Johnson.

Learning these things takes time.

Care to know the last time a Bears quarterback had the same head coach and same offensive coordinator for three seasons in a row? That was Rex Grossman from 2004 to 2007, when he had Lovie Smith as his head coach and Ron Turner as his offensive coordinator. In his third year, he took the Bears to the Super Bowl. There is more than enough evidence in league history to justify giving Williams more time.

The Chicago Bears have operated a certain way for a long time. Whenever possible, they avoid players with reputations for outlandish personalities. That is what made Wednesday’s news that they signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson so jarring. The 27-year-old defensive back is well-known for being one of the nastiest trash-talkers in the NFL. This is the guy who got Javon Wims and Anthony Miller to punch him in the same season. He also doesn’t seem to stick around long with other teams because of his outspoken and critical nature. Veteran leader Kevin Byard isn’t too worried about it.

The Bears’ safety is familiar with Johnson going back years. While he understands the reputation Gardner-Johnson brings, Byard thinks it can have tangible benefits for the Bears. It might be an ingredient they’ve been missing. History says Chicago teams have often excelled when they have notorious agitators.

“I’m under the belief that I think on each side of the ball, offense, defense, you need at least one or two of those guys on the field because they bring a certain level of juice. This game is played violently. You need somebody to go in there and be that spark. Obviously, you know the history of this city, Chicago Bulls with Dennis Rodman, sometimes you need guys like that out there. I think our leadership group on this team, we can hold things together and I don’t personally think it’ll be an issue. He’s been around this defense. I have a lot of respect for him. He has a lot of respect for me.”

He’s not wrong. Rodman was not only a great defender and elite rebounder, but his attitude and ability to mess with opponents mentally were crucial to the Bulls’ second three-peat. Those 1980s Bears teams we talk about so much had plenty of trash-talkers like Steve McMichael, Jim McMahon, and Otis Wilson.

Kevin Byard understands the job ahead with Gardner-Johnson.

That is to keep him pointed towards the opponent. As long as the Bears direct his mouth at the opposite side of the line of scrimmage, everything will be fine. Gardner-Johnson has proven he knows how to get under someone’s skin. If the Bears can get on top of the Cincinnati Bengals early this Sunday, don’t be surprised if his presence becomes noticeable. Word is he will likely start, filling the slot cornerback role in place of the injured Kyler Gordon. His capability as a blitzer should come into focus almost immediately. If things unfold as hoped, Kevin Byard could benefit from his arrival in multiple ways. The only challenge is ensuring the snapping dog is facing the right direction.

Besides, it’s not like this team had a choice. When you’re down half of your entire cornerback room, you tend to be a little more open to calculated risks.

It isn’t uncommon for coaches to bring in players they’re familiar with from other teams when they take new jobs. Ben Johnson traded for Jonah Jackson when he took over as head coach. It appears Dennis Allen is now working some of his connections to get his ailing defense some help. The Chicago Bears were down all four of their top cornerbacks last Sunday in Baltimore. It showed with Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley had a strong afternoon. Forced to look at some alternatives, the Bears brought in veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He has one of the more complicated reputations in the NFL. While he’s produced two different seasons with six interceptions, he also doesn’t stick around for long due to personality issues.

Allen coached him for three years in New Orleans. That familiarity no doubt encouraged the Bears to take the risk. Apparently, that might not be the end of it. Whispers are that the Bears might be working the phone lines to bring over veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore as well. He was a three-time Pro Bowler under Allen in New Orleans. He was traded to Washington last year and helped them to the NFC Championship. While he hasn’t displayed his elite form in the past few years, he’d still be an upgrade over the cast of reserves Chicago has.

Dennis Allen knows what Lattimore can do.

The 29-year-old can still play. Chicago doesn’t need him to save the season. They just need him to help stop the bleeding. If they can get the secondary back to a modicum of stability, Dennis Allen should be able to prevent opposing offenses from scoring at will. The question is, will Washington part with Lattimore? Their pass defense is already a problem, even with him in the lineup. Still, they’re 3-5 with the Seattle Seahawks on deck. A loss to them might convince the Commanders’ brass that a roster shuffle is in order. After all, they have the oldest defense in the NFL. They will need picks to change that next offseason.

These types of moves can be touch-and-go. Everything depends on whether the other team is willing to sell. Right now, it hasn’t reached that point. Expectations are that Chicago will get their answer after this Sunday.

The Bears secondary has been hit hard by injuries—especially at the slot and cornerback positions. So it’s no surprise Chicago decided to make a move. On Wednesday, the Bears signed veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the active roster, a move that has raised questions about who’s really calling the shots inside Halas Hall.

Gardner-Johnson brings experience, ball-hawk traits, and the ability to play multiple roles in the secondary. However, his reputation also comes with baggage. He’s known for being aggressive—often an instigator—which could become an issue on a Bears team that’s already struggled with discipline. Beyond that, he has a history of drawing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

What makes this move particularly interesting is how uncharacteristic it feels for general manager Ryan Poles. Poles has consistently avoided players with perceived “character concerns,” which suggests this decision might have come from head coach Ben Johnson. There have been hints for months that Johnson has growing influence over roster decisions, and this signing seems to confirm that shift.

Yes, the Bears needed help at cornerback. But in previous years, this kind of swing wouldn’t have happened. It’s a refreshing change in some ways—but also a bit concerning, depending on your perspective. Is Ben Johnson now the one with final say? Or is Ryan Poles simply opening the door to more outside input within Halas Hall? One thing’s clear: the balance of power in Chicago appears to be changing.

Chicago Bears Pull Absolute Stunner To Help Secondary

There have been rumblings that something isn’t quite right between quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver D.J. Moore. There have been multiple instances this season where they don’t seem to be on the same page. This is surprising since it’s their second season together. One would think the chemistry would be obvious. It certainly is for Rome Odunze, who has become Williams’ clear go-to target this season. Where is the disconnect with Moore coming from? Head coach Ben Johnson was asked about it.

This stems from the quarterback and receiver’s failed connection in the end zone at the end of Sunday’s loss in Baltimore. Williams threw wide of Moore on the play. It looked like D.J. had stopped while Caleb expected him to keep going—small issues like that often speak to communication problems.

“It’s always a work in progress,” said Johnson. “That’s why the week of work (in practice) is so important for us. I think the passing game is a continual evolution.”

The coach admitted that Moore had the freedom to sit down on the play in question, but the preference was for him to keep running. Still, it’s on both players to make that play. They’re too talented to let stuff like that happen.

“For that particular play, he’s running the back line. He does have the ability to shut it down in an open window. You know, it’s a unique look where there happens to be a second-level defender in the area that he shut it down. Do I wish he would have stayed on the move? Sure, but I also know at this level that that’s open and we have two really good players right there and we can find a way to hook up.”

Ben Johnson knows he must let the players sort this out.

There haven’t been any indications that Williams and Moore have beef with each other. It just seems as if they’re not on the same wavelength. Top quarterback and receiver tandems usually display similar thinking on every play. They know what the other will do. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were that way. Mitch Trubisky and Allen Robinson were that way. Currently, Odunze is the only one who appears to have a clear understanding of what Williams expects from play to play.

If Moore wants the ball at a higher clip, he must get on the same page with his quarterback. If he can’t, Ben Johnson may have some tough decisions to make. Don’t forget, the team drafted Luther Burden. They also have Colston Loveland, who needs more action. Chicago wants to make it work with more. He’s a good player. However, they won’t suffer these miscommunications forever.