Reinventing the Bears Offense: What Ben Johnson Means for Fantasy Football
The Bears' hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach signals a new era for their offense. Kevin looks at what his arrival means for Chicago's offensive roster.
The Bears’ hiring of Ben Johnson as their head coach is a game-changer for both the team and its fantasy outlook. Johnson’s resume speaks for itself—he transformed the Lions’ offense into a powerhouse, leading the league in offensive touchdowns and setting franchise records for points scored. His offenses consistently ranked among the best in points and yards, blending West Coast principles, Air Coryell concepts, and creative playcalling that kept defenses guessing.
Johnson’s work with Jared Goff is especially telling. Under Johnson, Goff posted the best QBR of his career, topped 4,000 passing yards in consecutive seasons, and became a consistent top-10 fantasy quarterback. Under Johnson’s watch, Jared Goff finished 10th, seventh, and sixth in fantasy points at the quarterback position. Goff ranked a far less impressive 13th, 19th, and 24th in his previous three seasons. Now, Johnson will aim to do the same for Caleb Williams, who flashed potential as a rookie but struggled with efficiency and pocket rhythm.
The system Johnson brings to Chicago prioritizes timing throws, play-action, and explosive plays—all areas where Williams can thrive. However, the Bears’ offensive line will need major upgrades to give Johnson’s scheme a chance to succeed. With eight draft picks in 2025, including four in the top 72, bolstering the line should be a top priority. If Chicago makes the right moves, Johnson’s arrival could elevate the offense and unlock the full potential of players like Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze in fantasy football.
Now, let’s dive into each player and give a full dynasty takeaway, including their outlook, trade values, and potential strategies to maximize their impact on your fantasy roster.
Caleb Williams: Evaluating the Current Quarterback Room
Dynasty managers should be excited about what this means for Caleb Williams. While his rookie season didn’t fully live up to expectations, the situation around him was far from ideal. The Bears endured a head coach and offensive coordinator firing, and a 10-game losing streak left them at 5–12. Williams showed glimpses of his generational talent, but poor offensive line play led to 68 sacks, limiting his ability to shine.
Enter Ben Johnson. His offensive philosophy in Detroit relied heavily on the running game, play action, and screens—areas where Williams can thrive. Williams posted a 95.2 passer rating on play-action plays and a 99.2 rating on screens during his rookie season. With Johnson focusing on bolstering the offensive line and running game, the Bears can establish a more balanced attack that alleviates pressure on Williams.
Johnson’s emphasis on timing throws, scheming players open, and explosive play designs should help Williams develop into a more rhythmic passer while leveraging his elite ability to extend plays. Under Johnson, Jared Goff revived his career, posting back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons and the highest QBR of his career. If Johnson can create a similar structure for Williams, the ceiling is sky-high.
From a dynasty perspective, Caleb Williams is currently valued as the Dynasty QB10 on KeepTradeCut (KTC), but don’t be surprised if he ascends to top-five status by the end of the 2025 season. His combination of talent, mobility, and creativity, paired with Johnson’s offensive ingenuity, makes him a long-term cornerstone for fantasy managers.
Dynasty Trade Market for Caleb Williams
Here’s how Caleb Williams is valued in dynasty trades:
Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)
Caleb Williams FOR Justin Herbert
Caleb Williams FOR Tua Tagovailoa/James Cook
Caleb Williams FOR 2025 1st
Caleb Williams/2025 1st FOR Jalen Hurts/2025 2nd
Caleb Williams/Xavier Legette FOR Brock Purdy/2025 1st/2025 2nd
Caleb Williams/2025 1st FOR Michael Penix Jr./2026 1st/2027 1st
Caleb Williams FOR James Cook/2027 1st
Caleb Williams/Bo Nix/2027 1st FOR Josh Allen
Caleb Williams FOR Kyler Murray/2026 1st
Caleb Williams FOR Bucky Irving/2025 1st
D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson: Evaluating the Current Backfield
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