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Exactly what each other needs: New Bears coach Ben Johnson plans to build a Caleb Williams-centric offense

Caleb Williams was driving on the interstate in Florida when the power players of the Bears’ organization called to tell him they’d hired Ben Johnson as his new coach, and he couldn’t contain the thrill.

“I don’t know if it was safe or not, but I gave out a loud yell and scream,” Williams said. “Brings a bunch of clarity to the offseason. It brings a bunch of different things to the offseason.”

This wasn’t a prank like when kids tricked Williams last week by texting him as Johnson. This was the real thing — Johnson verified it by calling on FaceTime — and it could be exactly what he needs to relaunch his career.

Williams and Johnson might be just what each other needs, really.

Johnson took the job primarily because of his belief in Williams’ potential, and the Bears chose Johnson primarily because of their belief that he can help him reach it. It’s their best shot at rising from the wreckage of the Matt Eberflus era.

Williams described Johnson as a “fascinating” play caller as Lions offensive coordinator and was enthusiastic enough to fly in for his introductory news conference. He had a front-row seat as Johnson acknowledged, “There’s no doubt Caleb played a large component in my decision,” after years of being highly selective while seeking an ideal situation.

If Williams liked hearing that, he loved what came next.

Johnson came up under a blend of influences, including former Bears offensive coordinators John Shoop, Mike Martz and Adam Gase, and intends to use those elements to create an offense customized for Williams.

“This offense will be calibrated with him in mind,” Johnson said. “This is not simply dropping a previous playbook down on the table. Nope. We’re ripping this thing down to the studs and we’re going to build it out with him first and foremost.

“I really look forward to challenging him and pushing him to continue to grow and develop.”

Williams was the No. 1 pick last year and had an up-and-down rookie season as he finished 24th in passer rating (87.8) and 17th in yardage (3,541) while throwing 20 touchdown passes and six interceptions. Meanwhile, fellow first-round picks Jayden Daniels of the Commanders and Bo Nix of the Broncos flourished under excellent coaching and got to the playoffs.

Daniels actually expedited the Bears’ hiring of Johnson by bouncing his Lions from the playoffs Saturday and can reach the Super Bowl by beating the Eagles in the NFC title game.

But while Daniels had Kliff Kingsbury and Nix had Sean Payton, the Bears entrusted Williams to an incompetent crew led by Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron — both of whom they fired in November.

At a time when the Bears tried to get everything right, they got a huge part horribly wrong.

But bringing Johnson in reignites their expectations for Williams, and Williams is eager to be coached properly.

“He’s going to build around me, but he’s going to test me,” Williams said. “He’s going to challenge me in the offseason and to [master] what works in the NFL and things he may want me to get better at.”

General manager Ryan Poles believed he found the right coach to teach Williams “to be a professional football player, to do the little things the right way” in a way the previous staff failed to do so. He added that Johnson will start by establishing “that foundation” and build from there so Williams “can continue to get better and play more consistently.”

Everything seems to be lining up. In the past year, the Bears landed the quarterback everyone wanted and the coach everyone wanted. It’s almost perfect.

“Now all we have to do is what everybody wants, and that’s win,” chairman George McCaskey said.

Nothing’s ever guaranteed, but pairing an ultra-talented quarterback and coach together is a great start.

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