Caleb Williams isn't used to watching football from the sideline. That's part of the challenge the Chicago Bears face as their franchise quarterback works his way back from a hamstring injury that has put his immediate playing status in doubt.
Speaking with reporters this week, Bears coach Ben Johnson provided some insight into Williams' approach to his recovery and made it clear that keeping the ultra-competitive quarterback from pushing too hard could be part of the process.
"I can't speak to the noise, but just the day-to-day coming in today, it's foreign," Johnson said. "We've got to get a cadence and a rhythm, not just so that he's healthy and getting back and helping this team win games, but how can he impact those around him in the meantime?"
Williams might not be able to help the Bears with his arm or legs right now, but Johnson wants him engaged with the offense and contributing to a quarterback room that's suddenly facing significant uncertainty.
"Still being a great supporter in the quarterback room, I know he's an antsy individual, he's a competitor," Johnson said. "He wants to be out there on the grass going full speed, so it is a little bit more challenging to hold a guy back like that.
"But if you could build a player, that's what you'd want him to be like."
Bears want Caleb Williams engaged while he recovers
It's high praise from Johnson, especially at a moment when Williams' patience is being tested.
Williams suffered the hamstring injury during the fourth quarter of Chicago's 9-3 loss to Minnesota in Week 2. The injury raised major concerns after Williams went down without contact and eventually left the field on a cart.
The good news was that Williams avoided a major injury. The not-so-great news is that hamstring injuries require patience, which can be difficult for a quarterback like Williams, whom Johnson described as eager to get back onto the practice field at full speed.
Getting Williams healthy is obviously the priority. But Johnson doesn't want recovery to mean disengagement.
Williams can still participate mentally in quarterback meetings, help the other quarterbacks prepare, and remain connected to an offense that has experienced two dramatically different weeks to begin the season.
Chicago erupted for 59 points and 552 total yards in its season-opening victory over Carolina before failing to score a touchdown in the 9-3 loss to Minnesota. Now the Bears are preparing for Philadelphia while dealing with uncertainty at the game's most important position.
Williams isn't the only quarterback whose status is in question. Tyson Bagent entered the NFL's concussion protocol this week, leaving veteran Case Keenum as the healthy quarterback available to practice when Chicago began its Week 3 preparations.
Johnson said Wednesday that he wasn't yet sure who would start Monday night. That makes Williams' involvement away from the field even more important.
Ben Johnson's comments say plenty about Caleb Williams
Coaches routinely preach patience when players are recovering from soft-tissue injuries. But Johnson acknowledged that Williams isn't naturally wired for it. He wants to play.
The Bears obviously can't allow Williams to dictate his recovery timeline. But Johnson doesn't seem interested in changing the mentality behind Williams' impatience. Quite the opposite.
"If you could build a player," Johnson said, "that's what you'd want him to be like."
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