When the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their head coach, it was with Caleb Williams in mind to have someone help the USC product reach his potential as a franchise quarterback. However, the offense has hit a speed bump in training camp and causing a reaction.
It’s been a challenging start in training camp to the Johnson era in Chicago. Over the weekend, the Bears’ head coach gave a concerning update on the offense as the team prepares for its first preseason game ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
With the alarming remarks from Johnson, former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck appeared on Monday’s edition of “The Herd” on FS1 to talk about Williams’ training camp so far under the new head coach.
Before dissecting what he expects from Williams in Year 2, Hasselbeck did not know that news that comes out of training camp can sometimes be overblown.
“Well, it’s Year 2,” Hasselbeck said. “Listen, Year 1, rookie year, you chalk some of those things up to a rookie situation. Year 2, training camp, I think we make a little bit of a huge deal out of certain things. Sometimes things are fun, sometimes things are pouty. You don’t know the whole story.”
“A lot of people made a lot of excuses for him last year. I think the excuses are out the window.”@colincowherd and @Hasselbeck react to Caleb Williams’ rough start to training camp pic.twitter.com/0Rm8ikluRx
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 4, 2025
Nonetheless, Hasselbeck did mention that he hopes to see Williams improve as a leader and tone setter for the Bears’ offense. The former Seattle Seahawks signal-caller believes that Williams cannot lean on being a rookie to justify any mistakes.
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“In general, last year to this year, you’ve even heard Ben Johnson talk about it: body language at the quarterback position matters,” Hasselbeck added. “It matters to your opponent, and it matters maybe just as much to your teammates. And so, the camera is always going to be on him.
“The microscope is always going to be on him. A lot of people made a lot of excuses for him last year. I think the excuses are out the window. The focus is going to be on him. And like I’ve said many times, your teammates get confidence or insecurity by how you carry yourself as a franchise quarterback.”
Williams could put any concerns anyone has over the Bears’ offense behind him this Sunday when they face the Miami Dolphins. If Williams and Co. look in sync during their limited time on the field, all of this noise will be in the rearview.
