The Chicago Bears finished their head coaching interview of Mike McCarthy yesterday and fans are up in arms about the situation. Not everyone, but most fans on social media want Ben Johnson to be the Bears' next head coach. Mike McCarthy wouldn't be a bad consolation prize despite most fans thinking hiring McCarthy would be an awful decision. Well, Caleb Williams might be in agreement.
In a recent episode of the St. Brown podcast, Caleb Williams made a guest appearance and within the podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown asked Williams what he wants in his next head coach.
"Strong minded, a leader of men... I think that's a cool thing about what you all got over there in Detroit."
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) January 15, 2025
Bears QB Caleb Williams details what he's looking for in his next head coach ✍️ pic.twitter.com/mBbGU9XJak
When describing his next head coach, Caleb Williams wants a coach who is strong-minded, a leader of men, offensive-minded, and someone with a fire that matches his own. He wants a coach he can grow with over the next 15 to 19 years. Williams also talked about wanting the Bears' next head coach to be good with clock and game management.
It's hard to find a head coaching candidate who checks all of these boxes, but McCarthy is not viewed as someone who handles clock and game management well. He also isn't known for his fire any longer. Then you have offensive coordinators who can't check certain boxes until they are given a head coaching opportunity. Some are also wondering if Ben Johnson has a fire like Williams' described because he always looks as cool as a cucumber on the sideline. Dan Campbell is the one who brings the fire up north in Detroit.
This attack on Caleb Williams is unwarrented
Personally, what Caleb Williams is looking for in a good head coach seems reasonable. However, some of the national media are ripping Williams apart for his comments. Chris Canty of ESPN's Unsportsmanlike made it known that Williams shouldn't be weighing in on the situation and hinting that he wants Ben Johnson as the next head coach. He talked about how Williams hasn't won enough to think he should be a part of the conversation or giving indirect demands.
I was a little surprised when I heard this conversation this morning. Williams is being unfairly attacked for his comments and wants. I repeat, wants. These were not demands and it was a response to a direct question. He may have hinted at wanting Ben Johnson, but can anyone blame him? Even Amon-Ra St. Brown made it clear that he doesn't want Johnson to leave. That in itself should tell you something.
Caleb Williams might have only won five games this season, but if your hopeful star quarterback tells you what he wants in a head coach it is important to listen. The Chicago Bears do not have a history of making the right decisions and maybe it's time to stop doing the same things. Ben Johnson is not Matt Nagy. Johnson is not Matt Eberflus. Johnson definitely is not Marc Trestman. Johnson could still be a bust, but going after Johnson is not going down the same path as the team has gone down before. The media needs to stop pushing McCarthy and stop unfairly bashing Caleb Williams.