(Video) Caleb Williams graciously signs autographs for every fan who approached him during the Bulls game

Chicago Bears’ last year’s first overall pick Caleb Williams attended the high stakes Chicago Bulls v Miami Heat play-in game on April 16.

(Video) Caleb Williams graciously signs autographs for every fan who approached him during the Bulls game

Caleb Williams graciously signed autographs (Images via NBC News/X)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has returned to the city following a vacation in Denmark. The Bears, with new head coach Ben Johnson, were among the few NFL teams allowed to begin offseason programs early.

Williams, eager to immerse himself in Johnson’s offensive system, reported back promptly. His early involvement suggested that the Chicago Bears are ready to move on from the disappointing last season and get the train going on the next one.

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Despite the ongoing preparations, Williams has made time to engage with the Chicago community. On Wednesday night, he was seen courtside at the United Center as the Bulls faced the Miami Heat in a high-stakes play-in game. His presence at the event marks one of his first public appearances since returning from Europe.

During a timeout in the game, Williams autographed a football and threw it into the upper sections of the arena. The gesture was unscripted, drawing attention from fans and cameras alike. While the Bulls battled on the court, the moment added a memorable highlight to the night. Caleb Williams also took out a considerable amount of time to graciously sign an autograph for all who requested one at the arena.

The Chicago Bulls, however, did not have the best night. The Miami Heat defeated the Bulls in a 109-90 game. The Bulls, who finished tenth in the conference, secured a spot in the play-in tournament with a win over the Toronto Raptors on April 1. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention for the third time in a row after the disappointing loss to the Heat.

Caleb Williams and the Bears are expected to have several offensive adjustments in the upcoming season

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has begun installing his offensive philosophy ahead of the 2025 NFL season. With the offseason program underway, the former Detroit Lions OC is working closely with quarterback Caleb Williams.

Chicago Bears Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams (Via The Spun)

In a sit-down with the team’s senior writer, Larry Mayer, Johnson emphasized the importance of the quarterback and play-caller operating under a unified vision. It’s all about returning to the basics and building the team from below.

One of the key changes involves a shift in the quarterback’s positioning. Williams will take more snaps from under center to expand play-action possibilities. In 2024, Chicago relied heavily on shotgun formations, which limited offensive flexibility. Johnson’s approach mirrors his successful run in Detroit, where under-center snaps bolstered both the run game and deep passing efficiency.

Another critical area is reducing Williams’ time holding the ball to avoid unnecessary sacks. Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times, the third-most any NFL player has ever been sacked in the history of the league.

David Carr and Randall Cunningham lead the list with 76 and 72 sacks in 2002 and 1986, respectively. In addition to the humongous amount of sacks, Williams also lost 466 yards on sacks, ranking fourth on the list of most yards lost on sacks ever.

Johnson aims to improve quick-read options and increase pocket movement. He stressed the collective responsibility of the offensive line, route runners, and scheme design in achieving this. It reflected the Detroit model, where offensive balance and rhythm were central to game planning.

It takes a village. I don’t know what the number was in terms of seconds that [Williams] held onto the ball before releasing it. But we would certainly like to bring that number down. Part of that is, ‘How well can we scheme No. 1 or No. 2 in the progression open for him?

Ben Johnson said about limiting the number of sacks

Johnson’s strategy also places a strong emphasis on Expected Points Added (EPA) in the passing game. He noted that the EPA is now a leading indicator of team success, often more predictive than turnovers. During his Detroit tenure, the offense consistently ranked near the top in both points and yards. Johnson will attempt to replicate the same principles in Chicago to unlock a more explosive and efficient unit.