Speaking on Chris Long’s Green Light podcast, Johnson said the defense trusted Williams from the start after seeing his arm talent, but stressed that he’s still young and learning the pro game, meaning there would be growing pains and a need for more consistency over time.
Johnson praised Williams’ late-game poise, noting the quarterback’s ability to deliver when it counts, including a game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Packers. He also pointed to a fourth-down conversion in that same game as perhaps the craziest moment, underscoring Williams’ knack for rising to pressure.
The veteran defender recalled the Rams game where it looked like the Bears were dead, only for Williams to spark a comeback that culminated in a late rally—an illustration, Johnson said, of Williams’s unorthodox but effective approach under duress.
With a year already spent in Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme, Williams is expected to take another major step forward in Year 3, according to the Bears’ cornerback.
Johnson’s blunt observations reflect a broader sentiment within the organization: Williams has high-end potential, even as he continues to develop and refine his game.
