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In Lake Forest, the Chicago Bears concluded their minicamp on Thursday under the guidance of new coach Ben Johnson. Over the course of three days, the team invested time on the practice field, installing offensive and defensive schemes while honing their situational football skills. Every player attended, given the mandatory nature of the minicamp. Although there's a week of organized team activities planned for next week, many veterans will have time off, leading into a month-long break before training camp kicks off in late July.

Coach Johnson expressed satisfaction with the progress made throughout the offseason program. "The objectives we set out to achieve, really for the whole offseason program, we felt really good about introducing the scheme, strength and conditioning, just our standard of technique and fundamentals and finish," Johnson remarked.

A particularly notable scene unfolded during a team period on Wednesday when quarterback Caleb Williams struggled to call a play. Unsure of the call, Williams stepped out of the huddle to seek assistance from Johnson, who was some 20 yards away. With an aggravated tone, Johnson urged Williams to resolve the issue quickly. The resulting delay-of-game penalty underscored the young quarterback's ongoing learning curve.

This minor misstep highlights the significant demands placed on Williams as he adjusts to a new play-caller and system. Johnson is focused on ensuring Williams masters presnap responsibilities, including play-calling, huddle command, and defense diagnostics. The coach is also working on refining Williams' footwork and his comfort under center. Johnson aims to accelerate Williams' ability to read defenses and make quick decisions.

"The objectives are challenging, but that's part of being a QB1 in the NFL," Johnson explained. To build a cohesive relationship, Johnson and Williams will engage in extensive one-on-one meetings during training camp, ensuring they see the game through a shared lens.

Reflecting on his experience with quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill, Matthew Stafford, and Jared Goff from his tenure with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, Johnson emphasized the importance of accountability. "It's like that for every position," Johnson said. "But certainly with that position you have to be able to tell them when it's good and when it's not good enough in front of their peers."

Williams received praise from Johnson for a 94-yard touchdown drive during an end-of-game drill on Wednesday, but the coach also noted areas needing improvement. During another end-of-game scenario on Thursday, a chaotic play resulted in a Williams interception, reinforcing that the offense is still a work in progress.

"We're not ready for prime time yet," Johnson acknowledged, emphasizing the necessity of training camp to iron out the remaining issues.

Amidst the structured practices, a light-hearted moment occurred when offensive linemen joined wide receivers in a half-speed drill, catching downfield passes. Right tackle Darnell Wright even made a one-handed grab, much to Johnson's enjoyment.

With the challenges acknowledged and a clear path ahead, Johnson and Williams are poised to continue their development, eyeing readiness for Week 1 of the regular season.