Ben Johnson Questions Caleb Williams’ Comparison to Aaron Rodgers
Ben Johnson is not convinced that Caleb Williams bears any resemblance to Aaron Rodgers at this stage of his career. When asked about the potential similarities between the young quarterback for the Chicago Bears and the seasoned Green Bay Packers legend, Johnson’s candid response was, “Probably not right now.”
The Journey of Caleb Williams
While growing up, Caleb Williams may have admired Aaron Rodgers for his exceptional skills on the field. However, according to Johnson, Williams still has considerable ground to cover to reach the level of precision that Rodgers exemplifies.
“Rodgers is elite right now at getting the ball out of his hands,” Johnson noted. The statistics back up Johnson’s assertion. Rodgers boasts an impressive average snap-to-throw time of 2.59 seconds, making him one of the fastest in the league. In stark contrast, Williams has struggled in this area, with an average time of 3.24 seconds to release the ball—ranking him as the slowest quarterback in the NFL.
Room for Growth
Johnson emphasized the need for Williams to refine his game, particularly in terms of quick decision-making. “He’s doing a really good job spitting it out. He’s accurate, I think our guy’s the same way, but we probably hold onto it a little bit more just where we are in the offense,” Johnson explained. He remains optimistic about Williams’ potential, believing that as the young quarterback gains more experience, he will become quicker in his release.
As Williams continues to develop, the balance between maintaining his unique play style—characterized by his ability to evade defenders and extend plays—and improving his efficiency in the pocket remains a focal point. Johnson acknowledged the risk of holding onto the ball too long, but he also recognized the magic that Williams can create during those moments of improvisation.
Looking Ahead
When asked about the prospect of facing elite players like Rodgers, Williams expressed his eagerness, stating, “Yeah, you always want to go against their best out there.” As the Bears prepare for their upcoming matchups, all eyes will be on how Williams continues to evolve as he learns from his experiences on the field. The journey to becoming an elite quarterback is a challenging one, but with the right guidance and determination, Williams could eventually carve out his own legacy in the league.
