Chicago Bears fans hit a breaking point last season under Matt Eberflus, who struggled to steady the team. With a complete rebuild on the horizon, the organization focused on its future, anchored by quarterback Caleb Williams. To ensure the team becomes competitive, they hired offensive mastermind Ben Johnson as the new head coach.
Reports from Bears training camp suggest the team is heading in the right direction. However, questions remain about whether fans can expect quick success or will need to be patient as the team develops. Given Chicago's recent seasons and history, fans might have a different perspective, as ESPN's Courtney Cronin observed.
The reason is that the players are encountering many of these concepts for the first time. As a result, it may take some time to fully grasp them, but Johnson expects the team to give 100% effort while working through the learning process.
Cronin wrote: "Still, a fan base that hasn't celebrated a playoff win since the 2010 season and is looking for its first franchise quarterback in over 80 years doesn't need much to get on edge."
Johnson has implemented a complicated offensive scheme that demands significant mental processing and precision from quarterback Caleb Williams and the entire offense.
According to Cronin, backup quarterback Case Keenum described Johnson's playbook as the "greatest hits" of his career, featuring "heavy play-action, shifts, pre-snap motion and a complex system for calling plays."
He added, "Ben has put a lot of pressure on us as quarterbacks to handle playcalls without wristbands out there. New playcalls every day. Long ones with double kills and possible alerts."
As the Bears offense evolves under Johnson's intricate system, the challenge to Williams and Co. is immense. Meanwhile, fans must temper expectations.