What Ben Johnson Said About Helping Caleb Williams In NFL Free Agency: 'Gritty, Dirty' Signings

In the first post- NFL combine press conference, coach Ben Johnson and recent signings Joe Thuney and others addressed the media. One of the main takeaways was the importance of building the trenches for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears are turning a new leaf. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has already made his presence felt both in the organization and in the media. Now, the attention has shifted to player acquisition. General manager Ryan Poles has been on the attack acquiring talent via trade and free agency, but no moves have been more important than the offensive line additions to help former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams.

In the last 10 days, the Chicago Bears traded for All-Pro offensive guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Pro Bowl offensive guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams. Free agent center Drew Dalman, who was most recently with the Atlanta Falcons, reportedly turned down more money elsewhere to join the rebuild in Chicago. Caleb Williams went from having one of the worst offensive interiors in pro football to arguably having the best, and he’s appreciative.

Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to (C) listens as new head coach Ben Johnson (not pictured) answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

“He sent me a nice text after it happened. I told him I’m excited to play with him.” All-Pro guard Joe Thuney said. “He’s got a ton of great film. I’m just excited to be a part of it all.”

The emphatic pursuit of trench veterans isn’t surprising in the slightest. For as much of a mastermind and wizkid Ben Johnson’s seen as, he’s a coach that truly leans on the fundamentals. Establishing the running game through a wide dispersal of formations and alignments is the basis of everything he does offensively. 

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It may look like moving parts, and at times it can be, but it’s a simple philosophy. To run it efficiently, you need worthy parts in the trenches. Without stability, and at times dominance, along the offensive line, it’s hard to succeed in the NFL. Johnson made it clear when he first took the job what the team’s mindset was going to be, but he reemphasized that to the media at the press conference. 

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) blocks for quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"We want some tough, some gritty, some dirty individuals, and we feel pretty good about the two guys we got," Coach Ben Johnson said. "'Smart' is a word that comes to mind, particularly with the interior players. We would love to have some versatility to our scheme, some multiplicity if you will. We've got a couple guys in the building now that we feel strongly can handle a variety of different concepts and schemes that we might want to employ each and every week.”

It’s much easier to get that standard from well-established players that already know the ropes. Jackson played the best football of his career in Detroit with Ben Johnson, so he’s extremely familiar with the process. Thuney, could very well be on his way to Hall of Fame status and has played for Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, while playing with Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. If anyone knows what it takes, it’s Thuney. 

"It's a team effort, it's a group effort…I just want to do what I can, just try to be myself and whatever experiences or times I've had with other players or coaches, just try to share that with the guys. It's a group effort. I think it's a special place. It's the coaches I've been meeting, our management, the owners. Everything has just been unbelievable. The NFL is hard. It's hard. But I'm excited to get going. I really believe in this and excited to get going.” All-Pro Guard Joe Thuney said to reporters. 

Caleb Williams couldn’t have asked for much more from the front office this offseason. He’s got his coach, he’s gotten the upgraded offensive line, and who knows, maybe he’ll get more toys to play with through free agency and the draft. 

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