How Ben Johnson's Analytical Approach Will Benefit Quarterback Caleb Williams

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The Chicago Bears have gone through significant changes over the past few seasons, starting with selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick last year. This offseason, the team hired a new head coach in Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator from the Detroit Lions.

The Lions were an analytically minded team with Dan Campbell running the show, and it seems Johnson will be similar as a head coach with the Bears.

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During the NFL league meetings, Johnson talked about what he would be emphasizing as a head coach. Estimated points is an analytical way to analyze how each affects both team's chances to win.

Estimated points added, or EPA, is the way to analyze how positive or negative a given play is. After analyzing recent trends, Johnson discussed how passing EPA specifically leads to wins.

"Whatever team has the higher passing game EPA at the end of the game, they generally win that game over 80 percent of the time."

He went on to specifically say completion percentage, yards after the catch, and limiting sacks are the main contributors he feels to a high passing EPA. All of those aspects are things Caleb Williams and the Bears offense need to improve on from last season.

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears scrambles with the ball during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Williams' completion percentage last season was just 62.5%, much lower than the top guys who hovered around the high sixties and low seventies.

He also took a ton of sacks, leading the NFL by a huge margin. He was sacked a whopping 68 times, with the next highest being C.J. Stroud with 52.

It is possible it was more on the offensive line than Williams, which led to the team adding three new interior offensive linemen, but Williams is also at fault.

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This offseason, helping Williams get the ball out quicker to increase his completion percentage, create more run-after-catch opportunities for a receiver like D.J. Moore (fifth in the NFL in yards after catch), and reduce sacks behind an improved offensive line seems to be the main goal for Johnson.

For a player as talented as Williams in terms of athleticism and arm talent, perfecting the little things should do wonders for the young quarterback. If Johnson can manage this in one offseason, the Bears offense could be scary next season.

Despite the lackluster numbers and being overshadowed by Jayden Daniels and even Drake Maye at times, Bears fans should be excited for next season with Ben Johnson at the helm.

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About the writer

Seth Quinn is a contributing sports writer based in Massachusetts. His focus is on sports, primarily the NFL and NBA. He has in depth knowledge of the NFL and NBA as a whole, being a fan of both leagues for over 20 years. Seth joined Newsweek in 2025 after previously writing for Athlon Sports, Fansided, and as an intern with Syracuse.com. He is a graduate from Syracuse University both as a undergraduate and graduate student. You can get in touch with Seth by emailing s.quinn@newsweek.com. You can find him on X @SethFQuinn.


Seth Quinn is a contributing sports writer based in Massachusetts. His focus is on sports, primarily the NFL and NBA. He has in depth ... Read more