Caleb Williams responds to Ben Johnson calling him less “Goofy”: “I’m playing a child’s game”

Caleb Williams has a massive 2026-27 season ahead, with plenty of lofty expectations and a city of fans who want to win. He’ll also be in line for a big payday if things go as planned.

In 2025, Williams took a massive leap from his rookie season, leading the Chicago Bears to an NFC North championship and a playoff win against their rival Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. They nearly took down the LA Rams in the divisional round, losing in overtime, but it ultimately led to unexpected optimism across the Bears organization.

For a franchise that has been searching for its leader for years and years, the progression of Caleb Williams was a welcome sight for everyone. Even with his elite potential and obvious talent coming out of college, questions about Williams’ maturity arose leading up to the draft.

Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times recently spoke with Bears head coach Ben Johnson, and he said his QB has taken a more “business-like approach” to the season, clearly pointing out the difference from his first year as coach.

“I’ve seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building. This guy might’ve had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago, and I use that term with love. Now I see a more serious player and intent every time I’m around him. His teammates feel that as well.

Now, he clearly says he uses the term with love, and Williams’ goofiness was probably harmless. However, we all know how Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions coach, coaches. He uses emotion and brings a Bill Cohwer esque approach to the role.

Johnson, a former coordinator under Campbell, has obviously brought some of those same traits with him to Chicago.

“He’s getting to the practice field early. He’s making sure his part is taken care of. He’s warmed up, he’s ready to go. He stays after with the guys. He’s taking a lot of pride in his approach right now, and it trickles down to everyone around him. It’s a great thing. He continues to grow up, and he’s going to be a huge leader for us this year.”

This new approach from Caleb could help his progression toward becoming a complete QB. Skill is one thing, and he has it, but becoming a leader of men in a locker room year after year is a completely different skill set. Having that balance between ‘goofy’ and serious is a major thing in today’s world, especially when this much money is at stake.

Coach Johnson clearly has his back, and so does GM Ryan Poles, who spoke yesterday about Williams in a great tone.

Caleb Williams responds to Ben Johnson’s ‘goofy’ claim, says he “likes laughing and joking”

How did the former USC Trojan respond to his head coach’s comments?

Well, with grace, per usual. Say what you want about the kid, but he’s clearly PR trained, and always seems to know the right thing to say at the right time. Still, his quotes can be taken out of context from time to time.

Yeah, I’m goofy. I like laughing and joking. I like having a smile on my face, and I like putting a smile on other people’s faces. So I’ll always be that. I’m playing a child’s game and I’ll always have that sense of child in me. It’s really important not to be overly serious, especially since this is a game.

As mentioned before, Caleb Williams has a very important season ahead. At the end of his third year, Williams will be eligible for an extension, one that will likely make him one of, if not the highest-paid, quarterback in the NFL.

With plenty of other Bears due to be paid in the next few years like Rome Odunze, and eventually Colston Loveland, his contract will be something everyone will be talking about towards the end of this season.

If success is the only thing on his mind, great. We all know that is far from the truth with any athlete, because at the end of the day, it is just a game. A childs game, if you will.

I’m going to laugh, I’m going to joke, I’m going to be goofy. I’m going to have fun, but I do understand my maturity level has gone up in what I’m doing for the organization, what I’m trying to do for the organization, and what I’m trying to do for the city of Chicago.

Williams has taken the city by storm after last year’s exciting  playoff run, and it’s apparent the fans have his back. His maturity has clearly grown on the court, but he will need to keep it up to take the next step.

When the Chicago Bears take on Carolina in just a few weeks, all eyes will be on the man behind center.

More: Kyler Gordon may not play a game this year, per reports

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