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Chicago Bears Disharmony Brewing? Jaylon Johnson Issues Warning to Caleb Williams

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Paul Magno | Last updated 3/21/24

The Chicago Bears may be bringing in USC’s blue chip quarterback prospect Caleb Williams with their no. 1 pick in this April’s NFL draft, but that doesn’t mean Williams’ new teammates are going to treat him with kid gloves.

In a recent appearance on Up and Adams with Kay Adams, all-pro cornerback Jayon Johnson, fresh off his signing of a four-year, $76 million contract extension, laid down the truth when it comes to what the inbound rookie won’t get away with in the Bears locker room.

Chicago Bears Veterans vs. Caleb Williams?

“You can’t bring that Hollywood stuff into the building, especially not with guys who’ve played this game at a high level for consecutive years in the league,” Johnson said, in reference to the outgoing and sometimes flashy former Heisman award-winning QB. “It’s just something that, guys like myself, guys like Tremaine (Edmunds), T.J. (Edwards). I mean just the vets, now Keenan Allen, you just ask certain guys in the locker room. I feel like we gonna see through.

“It’s like what you did in college, the Hollywood, you gotta prove yourself. That stuff doesn’t matter.”

Johnson, who has assumed a role of leadership on the Bears, would go on to say that it’s the veterans’ job on a team to make sure a rookie knows his role when it comes to the locker room politics. He also, however, talked about this process being to the benefit of the player and, ultimately, the team.

Tough Love for Caleb?

In the particular case of Williams, the team leaders will be doing all of this to fine tune the talented signal caller and make sure he has the best chance at success. Johnson would throw in the fact that, before anything, the Bears veterans will get to know Williams to see what makes him tick and what motivates him.

“You got to get to know him, too,” Johnson added. “I think there’s a fine line between trying to prove a point to him, but also getting to know him. Because, at the end of the day, we want him to be the absolute best he can be. That’s what we’re bringing him in for, to win games.”

The 22-year-old Williams has thus far played it cool and respectful, albeit with just a tinge of defiance and “I’m special and I know it.” It’ll be interesting to see how much his Bears teammates have to lean on him and humble him up, although nobody outside of the team will likely be privy to any of that.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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