It's remarkable how much can change from one season to another.
Before Ben Johnson became the Chicago Bears' coach, the team had finished a 2024 season with a 10-game losing streak, during which offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and coach Matt Eberflus were fired.
For Caleb Williams, his rookie season highlighted how coaching can negatively impact a young player but also the entire team.
Keenan Allen played his only season in Chicago back in 2024. Prior to joining the Bears, the veteran wide receiver had spent 11 seasons with the Chargers organization before rejoining them in 2025. Allen joined national sports talk show host Zach Gelb on Media Row in San Francisco and shared his thoughts on Williams and if he was surprised by his performance this season.
“Absolutely not,” Allen said. “When I was there, the team that we had, a lot of talent. Just thought we were kind of held back just by, I won't give …”
Keenan Allen hinting at something Matt Eberflus certainly did in Chicago
While Allen was talking, the host interjected and said, “Coaching,” which made Allen smile and laugh.
“I won't get into specifics, but we were kind of held back,” Allen said. “The roster was definitely in a good place to where we could have did some things as they did this year. Definitely hats off to them, they did a good job.”
Keenan Allen says he wasn't surprised by Caleb Williams' success this season.
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) February 5, 2026
Why were they held back a year ago?
I wonder what it could be? Cough, cough...coaching. @Bounty pic.twitter.com/d9WJ2E4NqT
Johnson inherited a majority of the roster that had lost 12 games the previous season, but there were key additions. The interior of the offensive line changed, rookies like Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Ozzy Trapilo were added, and Dennis Allen's defense led the league in takeaways.
Plus, Johnson's offense helped elevate Williams’ play and featured a rushing unit that finished No. 3 in the regular season in total yards.
Read more: Bears 2026 Draft Profile: Why Clemson's T.J. Parker fits with Bears' defense
Allen didn't have to say directly that coaching was the issue during the 2024 season, because the Bears' results spoke for themselves.