Coach Ben Johnson set to unlock former USC QB Caleb Williams as a pro

A player will need something different depending on where they are in their career. Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams was, to be charitable, placed into an improving situation. It is a franchise in the Chicago Bears that has its known issues.

The efforts of GM Ryan Poles are seemingly allowing for the NFC North team to be legitimately optimistic of the immediate outlook. Their win-loss record may not reflect it right away, but a lot of NFL fans acknowledge that the Bears deserved something of a clean slate in terms of how Chicago is perceived.

Particularly on offense, Trojan supporters especially know what Williams can bring from the QB position.

What has people most excited about the Bears is the introduction of coach Ben Johnson. While with the Detroit Lions as an offensive coordinator, coach Johnson separated himself as one of the premiere play-callers and schemers in the league.

A little more reserved than, say, coach Dan Campbell or Jim Harbaugh, Williams does not need someone who can exude excitement and provide a needed mental edge or pre-game energy. Any time Williams steps foot on the field, he is ready to play and give it his all.

Instead, the Heisman Trophy winner now needs someone who can help put him in more favorable positions to gain yards and position the team in a good place to not require Williams to constantly be forced to play hero ball.

By all means, off-script plays will still happen, and that is an area that Williams excels at. He will say first before anyone else that it is not something that he wants to be forced to do on a regular basis in order to move the chains.

This is where the role of coach Johnson will have a tremendously positive effect on Williams. People may focus on the fun, bells-and-whistles play calls. As they should, that is an area the former Lions' OC did well in showcasing.

Good outlook for Williams, two years removed from USC

That is something that rarely comes out, though. Sometimes it won't be for weeks at a time until a flashy design shows up on the field again. Instead, being able to consistently have routine plays for Williams to be able to depend on, including when a defender gets through the offensive line, is where Williams will benefit the most this season.

The former Trojan already had success with one HC-offensive playcaller, and things are shaping up where that will happen again as a pro for him.