Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is all too familiar with the playoffs, as he made runs in the last two years with the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator.
While Johnson has come close to the Super Bowl, he has not yet reached that point, but he might with his new quarterback, Caleb Williams, who is set to make his playoff debut in the NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers. Johnson spoke with the media, delivering a strong message about Williams before he steps on the field for his first postseason game.
"He was built for these moments," Johnson said via 670 The Score's Chris Emma. "He plays his best when we need him to. There's not a lot that needs to be said. He just needs to be him."
Caleb Williams is ready to play in the biggest game of his career
Dating back to his college days at Oklahoma and USC, Williams is used to playing in the biggest games of the year with the most pressure. This isn't anything new for him, even if it is the first time he is going to do it in the NFL.
During the season, Williams has shown he can step up in the Bears' biggest moments. Six times this season, the Bears have had to lean on their quarterback to lead a game-winning drive to take it home for them.
Williams has been outstanding in his second season in the NFL, making significant strides as a leader and passer. He threw for a franchise record 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions, adding another 388 yards rushing and three more scores in 17 games.
The Bears might not always see Williams at his best all the time in games, as slow starts have become a common theme with Chicago's offense of late, but he will step up when the team needs him the most. Williams will make some of the most incredible throws when his back is up against the wall, as most quarterbacks don't have that in their DNA.
Read more: Lions just awoken a beast in Caleb Williams as he enters postseason with Bears
Critics can say whatever they want about his accuracy issues and slow starts, but one thing Williams has proven this season is that he is a winner first and foremost. Nothing will get in his way of making sure his team is in a position to win a football game.