The Chicago Bears kicked off the Ben Johnson era with a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field. Chicago's defense stayed solid through three quarters, conceding just six points, but struggled in the fourth, allowing 21.
While the defense will face scrutiny, much of the national focus is on quarterback Caleb Williams. The second-year QB completed 21 of 35 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown through the air, adding 58 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
Although Williams started off the game on a positive note, it didn't stay that way for the entire contest. As a result, the Bears standout will need to start finding his consistency.
Caleb Williams will have growing pains
With Williams in Year 1 under Johnson, 670 The Score's Mike Mulligan is preaching patience with the USC product.
"Caleb Williams, it's going to take time," Mulligan said on Tuesday's edition of the "Mully & Haugh Show." "You've got to be patient. I think that by next year, he will be significantly better. As the season goes on, he will get better. But he's not good enough right now. He wasn't good enough in that game.
"He missed way too many downfield throws. He missed way too many open guys. It's just going to take him more time. He just hasn't done this. He hasn't operated under center enough. You've got to be patient, and you've got to wait for it all to begin to click."
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Moreover, Mulligan stressed that Johnson only arrived in Chicago a few months ago. As a result, Williams' learning the offense and having the unit click won't happen overnight, and there will be growing pains.
"I know that's easy to say and a lot harder to live," Mulligan added. "Ben Johnson just got here. I haven't given up faith in him being able to have an impact... I think Caleb is learning a new system, and it's going to take maybe a little longer than you want it to. It doesn't mean it can't happen. It just didn't happen in that game."