WATCH: Ben Johnson on Caleb Williams, team culture & training camp plans |
Tony Crumpton
· · Thursday, May 29 2025
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson addressed the media on Wednesday at Halas Hall.
Check out the full press conference below:
Video summary/cliff notes:
(00:00–00:18) First outdoor practice of OTA sessions; more space and energy allowed for better execution and engagement.
(00:18–00:33) Team progressing through installation phases—base downs, red zone, and now third-down packages. Acknowledges growing pains as part of the process.
(00:33–00:55) Injury updates: Jaylon Johnson not present; Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards dealing with soft tissue issues.
(01:23–01:42) Emphasis on finishing—pursuit on defense and blocking downfield on offense. Fundamentals and technique are the core focus.
(02:01–02:17) Huddle discipline matters: clear communication and energy set the tone; fatigue is not an excuse for mental mistakes.
(02:45–03:12) Offensive complexity increasing; balancing between challenging players and not overwhelming them during installs.
(03:28–03:49) Left tackle position in flux due to injury; right tackle (Darnell Wright) more stable, but nothing set in stone.
(04:18–05:03) Caleb Williams praised for attentiveness and note-taking; coaches evaluating his learning capacity as installs progress.
(05:03–06:17) Veteran QB Case Keenum praised for leadership and helping Caleb; no firm QB2 decision yet—competition ongoing.
(06:38–08:18) Team-wide focus on positive body language and leadership presence, especially during adversity; emphasized as a culture standard.
(09:02–09:48) Joint practices with other teams planned to increase competition and break up camp; single-day sessions with each.
(10:08–10:33) Defensive coordinator Eric Washington (Coach Allen) commended for his proven success, intelligence, and aggressive philosophy; both coaches align well on vision and game management.
