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'Growth' is key word for Bears QB Caleb Williams: How much has he done, how much is needed as season nears?

Kamil Krzaczynski/AP

The Bears have granted quarterback Caleb Williams’ wish to be coached harder. After a rookie season in which the staff too often deferred to him, new coach Ben Johnson has brought a sobering and necessary approach.

Johnson knows what championship-caliber quarterback play looks like after helping the Lions’ Jared Goff produce the best seasons of his career and land a $212 million contract, so he was hardly wowed by Williams carving up the Bills’ second-string defense in a preseason game Sunday.

He was pleased, of course, to see Williams complete 5 of 6 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive, but while fans checked the latest MVP odds, Johnson saw it as one more small step toward where he needs to be.