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鈥淚 can鈥檛 speak too much in terms of what it was like before he got here and when he got here last year, but from my four months on the job, he鈥檚 been outstanding to work with and we just are focusing on getting a little better every day,” Johnson said.

The Bears did not make Williams available to reporters following their workout.

In the book, Wickersham describes how Williams and his father, Carl Williams, asked attorneys to find a workaround to the NFL鈥檚 collective bargaining agreement, explored signing with the United Football League and considered publicly ripping Chicago and the Bears to create an untenable situation for the team.

鈥淐hicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,鈥� Carl Williams said ahead of the draft, according to the book.

Johnson grinned when asked about that comment.

鈥淚 love it. I love it,鈥� he said when asked about Carl Williams’ comment. 鈥淚 love the opportunity to come on in and change that narrative. That鈥檚 where great stories are written. So, we鈥檙e looking to write a new chapter here 鈥� 2025 Chicago Bears 鈥� and looking forward to the future.鈥�

Wickersham reported Caleb Williams indicated to confidantes he didn鈥檛 think he could work with then-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Bears general manager Ryan Poles told Williams, 鈥淲e鈥檙e drafting you no matter what.鈥�

Williams resigned himself to being selected by Chicago with the No. 1 pick, and after a pre-draft visit to the team facility, he believed he could help lead a turnaround.

Williams threw for 20 touchdowns, was intercepted six times and took a franchise-record and league-leading 68 sacks as a rookie. The Bears lost 10 straight and finished last in the NFC North at 5-12. They fired Waldron after nine games and let coach Matt Eberflus go after a loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving.

鈥淚 think every single day he鈥檚 trying to get better,” safety Kevin Byard said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 still a really good, talented young quarterback in this league and he鈥檚 trying to get better every day, and that鈥檚 all I see from him. Just working every single day, staying late, obviously meeting with Ben and all those guys. We鈥檙e trying to right the ship.鈥�

Chicago landed the top coaching candidate on the market in January when Johnson agreed to take the job after spending three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. Williams said at the time he was 鈥渋nsanely excited鈥� when he found out.

The Bears also overhauled their offensive line in an effort to give their quarterback the protection he needs. The most notable move was a trade with Kansas City for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, who finalized a two-year, $35 million contract extension on Wednesday.

鈥淵ou can just feel from every position group 鈥� from offense, defense, special teams 鈥� just the desire, the push to keep working, keep getting better, keep improving,鈥� he said.

Thuney likes what he’s seeing from Williams.

鈥淗e works really hard,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can tell how much he cares about this sport, and he鈥檚 always in here. Whenever I come in, I see him. He鈥檚 been doing great, and so far so good.鈥�

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