JUST IN: Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Shares Frustrating and Shocking News on QB Caleb Williams
May 15, 2025 – Lake Forest, IL – In a surprising and deeply concerning announcement, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed today that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is facing an unexpected setback that could impact his preparation for the upcoming season.
Speaking to reporters after the team’s OTA session at Halas Hall, Johnson revealed that Williams has suffered a moderate hamstring strain during a non-contact drill earlier this week. While the injury is not considered serious in the long term, the team is expected to shut down their prized rookie for several weeks as a precaution—forcing him to miss the remainder of spring workouts and possibly the beginning of training camp.
“It’s frustrating, no question,” Johnson said. “He’s been sharp, focused, and everything we hoped for since day one. This is just one of those things you don’t want to happen, especially to a young quarterback who’s learning a new system. But we’re going to be smart and give him the time he needs.”
A Shocking Early Setback
The injury comes just weeks after the Bears made one of the boldest quarterback moves in franchise history—trading Justin Fields and using their top pick to select Williams, the Heisman-winning quarterback out of USC. Williams was quickly handed the keys to the offense and has been drawing praise for his arm talent, mobility, and maturity during early practices.
The news of his injury immediately raised concerns among fans and analysts, many of whom were already expecting Williams to start Week 1. Social media exploded with reactions ranging from sympathy to panic, as Bears fans feared the start of yet another rocky quarterback era.
“This better not be the start of a curse,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We finally get our guy and now this?”
A Cautious Approach
Coach Johnson stressed that the team’s medical staff is optimistic about Williams’ recovery, but emphasized the need to be cautious. “We’re not going to rush him back for the sake of appearances. We’re building for the long haul here,” Johnson said.
Team doctors have recommended a rest and rehab period of 3–4 weeks. The Bears are expected to monitor Williams closely and gradually reintegrate him into drills during the later stages of training camp.
In the meantime, veteran backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and newly signed journeyman Marcus Mariota will take the majority of first-team reps. Johnson confirmed that the offense will continue installing its new system to ensure a smoother transition once Williams returns.
Looking Ahead
While the timing is unfortunate, insiders around the league don’t expect the injury to derail the Bears’ long-term plans. Williams remains the face of the franchise and is still widely expected to start under center when the regular season begins—provided there are no complications.
Still, this unexpected development is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the NFL. For a city starved for quarterback stability, the Bears will now have to hold their breath and hope their future star is back on the field sooner rather than later.
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