Chicago Bears fans are surely thrilled after their team extended its winning streak to three with Monday’s 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders, but things might get even better in the future as quarterback Caleb Williams continues to become more experienced.
Just ask head coach Ben Johnson.
“He’s doing a good job taking care of the football in the passing game,” Johnson said during an interview with Jeff Joniak of ESPN Chicago (8:10 mark). “There’s certainly a few of those we’d like to have back because I think there’s a little bit more meat on the bone.
“But there’s a lot of these plays we’re starting to bank some reps on as we go through the season. … I think we’re going to continue to see improvement as we go.”
Williams played well from a statistical perspective and went 17-of-29 passing for 259 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown with his legs.
The lack of turnovers also proved to be the difference, as the Commanders coughed up the ball three times by comparison in the one-point defeat. The Bears took advantage of those mistakes with a field goal after the first Washington turnover, touchdown after the second and game-winning field goal on the third.
Winning the turnover battle will always be important and a typically a determining factor in the outcome, but Johnson’s comments suggest there were some bigger offensive plays available that Williams missed as the game progressed.
Recognizing those missed opportunities and learning from them moving forward is always better to do after a win than a loss, and it isn’t a stretch to suggest Williams will start to hit on those chances at a higher rate as he becomes more familiar with Johnson’s offense.
Johnson himself said during training camp that the offense he was installing in his first year with the Bears was “more complex” than the one he did during his first year as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, so it is only natural to expect some growing pains from a second-year quarterback like Williams.
That he is going through those growing pains and still winning and taking care of the football with just two interceptions on the year suggests exciting things to come in the future.
Which is exactly what Bears fans want to hear.
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