Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode Summary: "Tim Jenkins – All Things QB / Former NFL Quarterback"

November 13, 2025 | Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola | Guest: Tim Jenkins

Episode Overview

This week, Dan and Matt are joined by former NFL quarterback Tim Jenkins, founder of T Jenkins Elite and host of the "All Things QB" channel, for a deep-dive on the Chicago Bears’ quarterback development, Ben Johnson’s head coaching debut, and the overall trajectory of the Bears' season. Jenkins shares a quarterback's eye view of Caleb Williams’ growth, Ben Johnson's system, and how Chicago is navigating an evolving NFL landscape. They also hit on QB evaluation trends, the mental side of WR drops, and the key to success versus the Vikings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams’ Year One Development in Ben Johnson's System

• Early Progression:
  • Jenkins is generally positive about how Caleb Williams has adjusted to Ben Johnson’s system, noting the incremental weekly progress, especially in playing within the offensive structure (02:52–04:08).
  • He describes Williams’ style:

    "He is still… the best kid on the playground, he can still go in it… it was impossible to bring him down in the pocket." – Tim Jenkins (02:52)

  • However, he notes that, as a practical matter, Williams is almost like a rookie due to last year’s disarray.
• Reframing Expectations:
  • Dan admits to having to "push aside" previous frustrations:

    "I've expected more of him… yet I need to realize and kind of be a little more patient that it's really this first year he's had with a real NFL head coach and offensive coordinator." – Dan Bernstein (04:08)

2. Playing Within Structure vs. Creativity

• Ideal Balance:
  • Jenkins contends that playing on schedule is the next key step for Williams, aspiring to reach a "Josh Allen 80/20 mixture – 80% on time in structure, 20% freelance" (04:48–07:45).
  • He’s optimistic:

    "It’s nice that we have that in Chicago... I finally, we finally have somebody that I believe can do that." – Tim Jenkins (06:41)

• Coaching Impact:
  • Jenkins credits Ben Johnson, noting coaches “see similar things” and that the offense now looks “different in week 10 than they did week one.” (07:13)

3. Pre-Snap Operation and Offensive Maturity

• Jenkins agrees with Matt that "the NFL is won and lost at the line of scrimmage" (08:39).
  • Improved pre-snap penalties and motion timing have been evident since week one.
  • But Williams’ command of “can/can" and "kill/kill" audible systems is still growing:

    "You’d love to see that get to seven or eight [successful audible big plays], right… That's what we have to get to." – Tim Jenkins (08:39)

4. Pocket Movement, Pressure, and Making Plays Out of Structure

• "Creativity Time":
  • Matt probes whether Williams’ ability to extend plays sometimes highlights missed quick reads, and Jenkins suggests this will always be part of Williams’ battle (11:12–14:29).

    "I think that’s something he’s going to be battling with his whole career... But I don’t view it as the worst battle ever. If I was a quarterback coach...I’d rather be fighting that, oh hey, I got a guy who’s maybe too talented than fighting the like, hey, I gotta get these nine plays out of our playbook because we can’t make that throw." – Tim Jenkins (13:40)

• Coaching Structure:
  • Attributes this improvement to Johnson’s accountability and offensive design:

    "I do think Ben is one of those guys that I don’t think he’ll let people skate by." (13:31)

5. Coaching Style & Using the Media

• Ben Johnson’s Media Savvy:
  • Jenkins breaks down Johnson’s deliberate use of “we” vs “he/him” pronouns in media to build or direct accountability (35:59–39:28).

    "When you're saying we, a lot of that means, hey, this is like a whole... issue here. ...When you say he, like, you're pointing it out..." – Tim Jenkins (36:06)

  • He notes that younger players are more in tune with public critique, and Johnson – having worked with Goff – understands modern athletes' psyche.

6. Ben Johnson: Head Coach Performance

• Jenkins’ highest praise is the resilience and belief Johnson has instilled in the Bears:

  "We finally have a team that actually feels like if we get to the fourth quarter in a tight game, we won’t collapse. ...That’s his signature as a head coach." – Tim Jenkins (19:40)

• Bears could easily be 7–2, says Jenkins, and teams like Green Bay and Philly “don’t look unbeatable” (21:21).

7. Screen Game & Run Adjustments

• Both hosts raise concerns about the lack of screen game output despite the run game's success and a mobile QB (22:03–27:21).
• Jenkins speculates that screens may be embedded in the "can" plays but not being checked to, or that defenses are jumping quick screens.
• Poor run adjustment decisions by Williams (at least once in the red zone) suggest growth is needed in pre-snap/post-snap assessment, especially in trusting the run (24:59–27:21).

8. Handling Drops and Player Confidence

• Jenkins outlines the impact of WR drops and the fine line between benching a player and crushing a career (28:46–33:21).
  • Coaches and QBs should build up players in-game, apply accountability in practice.
  • Repeats that a lot of his coaching, even with pros, is more psychological than mechanical:

    "My job with high-level quarterbacks has always been more psychology than physical." – Tim Jenkins (32:00)

9. Vikings Preview: Pressure Pickups Key

• Bears’ performance vs. pressure will determine the game:

  "If we handle the pressure, I think we're going to have it schemed up... If not... these division games... they're always tight." – Tim Jenkins (33:51–35:21)

10. Quarterback Evaluation Trends & NFL Coaching Gaps

• Jenkins opines that the real separator in the NFL is coaching, not just QB talent:

  "I think we, as evaluators…way too often think…look at the quarterback advantage. I think we underestimate dang near tenfold the head coach, OC, DC advantage." – Tim Jenkins (40:27)

11. College QB Prospects & Scouting

• Jenkins’ sleeper: he likes Fernando Mendoza for his footwork and progression, projects as possibly undervalued relative to traits-worship at the draft (42:24–44:52).

  "The Mendoza kid seems like the kind of kid that might sneak up on you... go in the second, go in the third round, maybe someone takes him late first, and then all of a sudden... he's actually a decent pro." – Tim Jenkins (42:49)

• Pushes for NFL teams to draft more on actual QB play and less on “traits.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Caleb Williams’ Growth:

• "You almost got to throw last year out and treat him like a rookie... but I do think they've progressed well."
  – Tim Jenkins (03:47)
• "I've expected more of him... yet I need to realize... this is really his first year with a real NFL head coach and offensive coordinator."
  – Dan Bernstein (04:08)

On the Bears’ Offensive Direction:

• "We finally have a team... if we get to the fourth quarter in a tight game, we won’t collapse."
  – Tim Jenkins (19:40)

On Coaching and QB Development:

• "The more we can get him to play within structure... that's more sustainable for this offense."
  – Tim Jenkins (14:07)
• "I don’t need to coach him on how to throw – he’s a Ferrari, right?"
  – Tim Jenkins (15:26)

On Coaching Through the Media:

• "When I hear him say he... to Caleb Williams, I think he's gotten to the point where, hey, I've coached this three weeks. You're still not addressing it. ...smart coaches use the media that way as well."
  – Tim Jenkins (36:06)

On NFL Coaching Value:

• "I think we underestimate dang near tenfold the head coach, OC, DC advantage...I think every OC ever in the NFL...can blow you away [on a whiteboard]...the relaying of information...I think the despair...is...huge, huge spread."
  – Tim Jenkins (40:27)

On Handling Wide Receiver Drops:

• "My job with high-level quarterbacks has always been more psychology than physical."
  – Tim Jenkins (32:00)

Important Timestamps

• 02:52 – Jenkins' initial take on Williams’ year one progress
• 04:48 – Structuring creative vs. in-structure QB play
• 08:39 – Pre-snap operation and can/can, kill/kill progress
• 13:31 – On Ben Johnson holding QBs accountable
• 15:12 – Unlocking Williams’ potential and coaching elite traits
• 17:38 – Explanation of the “Machete” passing concept
• 19:40 – Jenkins on Ben Johnson’s impact as head coach
• 22:03 – Bears’ screen game woes
• 28:46 – QB/WR accountability and body language after drops
• 35:59 – On Ben Johnson’s use of “we” vs “he” in public critique
• 40:27 – NFL coaching staff as the true differentiator
• 42:24 – Jenkins’ college QB sleeper: Fernando Mendoza

Summary Takeaways

• Caleb Williams is making real progress in Ben Johnson’s system, but it’s accurate to treat this as his "rookie" year.
• Williams’ next leap is about balancing creativity and structure—getting closer to the Josh Allen template of improvisation only when needed.
• The offense's pre-snap operations and post-snap play recognition are better, but still growing.
• Ben Johnson is lauded for not only modernizing the offense but instilling belief and fourth-quarter resilience in the team.
• Coaching—both in direct technique and the use of public framing—is now more impactful than ever for player development.
• The Bears’ run game is carrying them, but underused screen concepts and run-pass decision-making need to improve.
• Jenkins thinks the Bears can beat the Vikings if they handle the pressure packages, highlighting the importance of identifying and responding to aggressive looks at the line of scrimmage.
• In QB scouting, Jenkins urges a move away from "traits" toward tangible QB skills, such as full-field reads—a skill he credits Mendoza with in this year’s draft class.

For diehard Bears fans and NFL analytics junkies alike, this episode is a must-listen for its nuanced, inside-the-huddle look at a developing franchise QB and the systems built to maximize him.