Don’t expect Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to trade in his football cleats for basketball shoes anytime soon.
The 24-year-old signal-caller is one of the brightest young stars in the NFL, lifting a once-cellar-dwelling Bears franchise out of obscurity.
Williams impressed in his rookie year, then shattered expectations in year two. He led Chicago to an 11-6 record and its first NFC North title since 2018, throwing for a franchise-record 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns. Under his command, the Bears captured their first postseason victory in 15 years.
But as dominant as Williams is on the gridiron, the hardwood is a completely different story.
NFL: Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson ribs Caleb Williams over celebrity NBA All-Star Game blunder
Williams caught some friendly banter from head coach Ben Johnson at the NFL Combine media session.
Earlier this month, the Bears quarterback accepted an invitation to join the NBA All-Star weekend. He took part in the celebrity three-point contest in Los Angeles.
Simply put, it did not go well. Williams put up an abysmal outing, registering the lowest score in the entire contest with a measly four points.
Johnson could not pass up the opportunity to poke fun at his quarterback.
“Let’s start with this. I know what everyone’s thinking. Does Caleb have NBA aspirations? And the answer is no. I think football is his calling,” the 39-year-old tactician quipped. “Did you see the three-point contest?”
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Johnson then revealed he had actually predicted the struggles beforehand. “I sent him a meme of a guy just missing left and right before, and then when it actually happened, I felt bad. I was like, ‘Whoops,’ spoke that one into existence,” he added.
Word quickly reached Williams. The Bears’ QB1 wasted no time firing back at his coach on X.
“Lie!! He does not feel bad!” Williams wrote, adding two laughing emojis.
✍🏽😂😂. Lie!! He does not feel bad! https://t.co/VKNe3sV9NG
— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) February 24, 2026
Meanwhile, the lighthearted exchange speaks volumes. Williams and Johnson share a genuine bond built on trust and mutual respect. For a Bears squad with its sights set on going deeper in 2026, that chemistry could prove to be their greatest asset yet.
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