Chicago Bears Open Training Camp With Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, Ryan Poles and Grady Jarrett Setting a Bold New Tone

A new era officially began Tuesday at Halas Hall, where the Chicago Bears kicked off their 2025 training camp with fresh energy, lofty expectations, and a powerful blend of leadership from the front office to the field.

General Manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett all addressed the media in a joint press conference that symbolized a united front and a shared vision. Together, they laid the groundwork for what they hope will be the franchise’s long-awaited rise to relevance—and contention.

The buzz began before the first question was even asked.

With a calm but confident tone, Ryan Poles spoke first, outlining his belief that the Bears are “built to compete” and that the moves made over the offseason—headlined by the hiring of Johnson, the drafting of Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, and the surprising acquisition of Grady Jarrett—were not made for optics, but for winning.

“We didn’t come here to be average,” Poles said. “We came to build a championship team. And that starts now.”

The Williams Era Begins

All eyes, as expected, were on Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from USC whose arrival in Chicago was seen as the most significant quarterback moment in franchise history since the days of Sid Luckman. Williams wore a wide smile as he took the podium, flanked by his coach and GM. But behind the smile was a clear sense of purpose.

“I’m honored to be a part of this city, this team, and this culture,” Williams said. “But I didn’t come here to just talk about it. I came to work. I came to win.”

Williams’ talent is unquestioned. His creativity, arm strength, and playmaking instincts lit up college football for two years and made him the consensus top pick. But what stood out Tuesday was his maturity and self-awareness.

“I know I’m a rookie. I know there’s a lot to learn,” he said. “But I’ve got incredible coaches and vets around me. I’m not doing this alone.”

He went out of his way to credit Ben Johnson, the offensive-minded head coach hired from the Detroit Lions, for creating a system that allows him to both grow and thrive.

“Coach Johnson makes things simple, but also dynamic,” Williams said. “It’s QB-friendly but it demands you to think. It’s been fun learning from him.”

Ben Johnson’s Vision

Johnson, only 38 years old and already regarded as one of the league’s most innovative minds, kept his comments short but sharp.

“I took this job because of the people. Because of Ryan, because of Caleb, because of the guys who want to be great,” Johnson said. “I’m not here to rebuild. I’m here to maximize.”

He emphasized that while the Bears are young, they’re not using that as a crutch.

“Rookie doesn’t mean incapable,” he added. “Caleb is special. The locker room knows it. But special doesn’t mean we skip the hard parts. He’s going to be pushed, and he’s embracing that.”

When asked about his expectations for Year 1, Johnson didn’t flinch.

“We’re playing to win every single week. This league doesn’t wait for you to figure it out.”

A Veteran Voice: Grady Jarrett

The most unexpected but possibly most pivotal presence at the podium was Grady Jarrett, the longtime Falcons defensive tackle who joined the Bears in a late free-agent move that many saw as a statement of intent.

Jarrett, a two-time Pro Bowler, brings not only experience but edge to a defense that ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in sacks and pressures last season. And Tuesday, he made it clear that he came to Chicago for one reason.

“I want to win, man. Period,” Jarrett said. “I’ve been around this league long enough to know when a team’s building something real. This team is real.”

He talked about his conversations with Poles and Johnson before signing, and how their honesty and clarity sealed his decision.

“They didn’t sugarcoat it. They said, ‘We need a dog in the middle. We need leadership. We need you.’ That hit home.”

Jarrett also addressed Williams directly, showing the type of veteran presence Chicago has sorely lacked in recent years.

“I told him, ‘You be you. But be about it.’ And he is. That young man’s got that fire. That’s what it takes.”

Cultural Reset

More than anything, Tuesday’s press conference felt like a declaration: the Bears are not hiding from expectations—they’re embracing them.

Poles stressed accountability. Johnson emphasized adaptability. Williams brought energy. Jarrett provided gravity. The message was cohesive and clear: this is a team that believes its time has come.

“We’re not talking playoffs in July,” Poles said, “but we’re talking progress. We’re talking identity. When people turn on a Bears game, they’re going to know what kind of team they’re watching.”

Johnson echoed that, pointing to toughness, discipline, and execution as non-negotiables.

“We can scheme all day,” he said, “but if you don’t tackle, block, protect the ball, and play together, you’re just a fantasy football team.”

Roster Shaping and Positional Battles

The Bears head into camp with several intriguing battles on both sides of the ball.

Williams is the clear QB1, but backup reps will be up for grabs between Tyson Bagent and free-agent addition Marcus Mariota.

The offensive line, bolstered by the return of Braxton Jones and the addition of a second-round guard, remains under the microscope. Keeping Williams clean is the top priority.

On defense, the secondary is led by budding star corner Jaylon Johnson and safety Jaquan Brisker, both of whom earned praise from Poles on Tuesday for their leadership this offseason.

But all eyes will be on the front seven—how Jarrett meshes with rising second-year lineman Gervon Dexter, and how linebacker Tremaine Edmunds anchors a unit in need of consistency.

“Defense has got to travel,” Jarrett said. “I’m talking cold games, road games, gritty games. We’ve got the talent. Now it’s about trust and finish.”

Fan and Media Reaction

Within minutes of the press conference ending, social media lit up. Local beat writers called it “the most hopeful tone from Halas Hall in years.” National pundits described the Bears as “young, bold, and dangerous.”

Fans flocked to the team store. Williams jerseys flew off the racks. Optimism, cautiously held for years in Chicago, is suddenly bursting through the cracks of a long-suffering franchise.

Even former Bears players chimed in on Twitter. Devin Hester wrote: “They finally got the right QB, the right coach, and the right culture. Bears up.”

Next Steps

The Bears open full-team practices Wednesday, with their first padded practice scheduled for next Monday. Preseason games will follow in August, and then the real journey begins in September with a Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field—a game that already feels like a must-watch.

But as Ryan Poles reminded the media before walking off the stage, the Bears are not thinking about September yet.

“We’re thinking about tomorrow. One rep, one meeting, one moment at a time. That’s how you build something that lasts.”

For the first time in a long time, it doesn’t feel like the Bears are searching for something—they’ve found it.

They’ve found a quarterback. They’ve found a coach. They’ve found a voice in the locker room. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve found belief.

Training camp is only beginning, but the vibe at Halas Hall is unmistakable: the Chicago Bears are done waiting. They’re ready to go.