by Seth Quinn Newsweek. Updated April 2, 2025, 4:32 PM. The Chicago Bears have seen substantial changes in recent seasons, beginning with last year’s first-round choice, quarterback Caleb Williams. This offseason, the team hired Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ former offensive coordinator, as its new head coach. The Lions were an analytically focused squad under Dan Campbell, and Johnson appears to be similar as head coach of the Bears.

During the NFL league meetings, Johnson discussed what he would prioritize as head coach. Estimated points is an analytical method for determining how each influences both teams’ chances of winning. Estimated points added, or EPA, is used to determine how good or negative a certain play is. After studying current trends, Johnson demonstrated how passing the EPA explicitly leads victories

“Whatever team has the higher passing game EPA at the end of the game, they generally win that game over 80 percent of the time.” He went on to state that he believes completion percentage, yards after catch, and limiting sacks are the most important factors in achieving a high passing EPA. All of these areas are where Caleb Williams and the Bears offense need to improve from last season. Williams’ completion percentage previous season was only 62.5%, significantly lower than the elite players who hovered in the high sixties and low seventies.

He also took a lot of sacks, leading the NFL by a wide margin. He was fired 68 times, the next most being C.J. Stroud with 52. It’s likely that the offensive line was more to blame than Williams for the team’s addition of three new interior offensive lineman, but Williams is also at fault.

This offseason, Johnson appears to be focusing on helping Williams get the ball out faster to enhance his completion percentage, creating more run-after-catch opportunities for receivers like D.J. Moore (sixth in the NFL in yards after reception), and reducing sacks behind a better offensive line.

For a player with Williams’ agility and arm talent, improving the simple things should help the rookie quarterback. If Johnson can accomplish this in one offseason, the Bears’ offense may be terrifying next season. Despite the mediocre numbers and being overshadowed by Jayden Daniels and, at times, Drake Maye, Bears supporters should be optimistic for next season under Ben Johnson’s leadership.