Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune answers your questions:
Your idea of a good completion percentage for Caleb Williams — around 63% — seems way more reasonable than Ben Johnson’s goal of 70%. Most NFL quarterbacks never have one season at 70%. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady never hit 70%, nor have fellow MVPs Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. Prehistoric Dan Marino and John Elway hit 60% only four and three times, respectively, in their 17-year Hall of Fame careers. Why do Johnson and a lot of NFL commentators seem so out of touch? Was it wise to put the pressure of an unreasonable goal in the mind of a second-year quarterback? — Damian W., Missoula, Mont.
I think I referenced 63% as what ought to be an attainable mark for Williams in an appearance on the “Mully & Haugh Show” on WSCR-AM 670. Johnson should keep the bar very high for Williams and all of his players because there’s always room for improvement. There’s no question Williams will need to be more accurate this season in terms of completion percentage and ball-placement — putting the ball in a place where the target has the best opportunity for yards after the catch — if the offense is going to take a big jump.
I can tell you why he wants him to hit 70%. It’s because Jared Goff completed 72.4% of his passes in 2024, his best season in that regard ever the year before Johnson joined the Bears.
This goal is at least as much about Johnson and it is about Williams. It’s a personal best for him and he wants to take Williams to the point where he can beat it with his own team. It’s that simple.