The Chicago Bears didn't have Caleb Williams under center Sunday night, but Jason Kelce still saw something that should have Bears fans feeling pretty good about their young quarterback's future.
After watching Ben Johnson's offense dismantle the Philadelphia Eagles with veteran Case Keenum at quarterback, Kelce offered some serious praise for the Bears head coach and the system Williams will eventually return to.
Jason Kelce puts Ben Johnson among NFL's best
Chicago didn't simply survive without Williams against Philadelphia. The Bears' offense rolled.
Keenum stepped in and looked comfortable running Johnson's offense, completing throws on time and taking advantage of what the Eagles gave him. Chicago walked away with a 27-7 victory, and Kelce came away impressed with how smoothly everything operated.
"I think Ben Johnson is probably, if not the best, one of the best schemers in the NFL currently," Kelce said on "New Heights."
That's quite an endorsement.
Kelce also praised Chicago's offensive line, calling it "one of the best offensive lines in football," and pointed to Johnson's ability to create favorable situations for his quarterback.
Keenum certainly took advantage.
"He executed it flawlessly," Kelce said.
What does this mean for Caleb Williams?
Keenum playing well doesn't suddenly create a quarterback controversy in Chicago. What it does show is how much help Williams has around him.
Johnson's offense has already proven it can manufacture openings, protect its quarterback and keep a defense guessing. If a 38-year-old Keenum can step in and operate it effectively, the possibilities with Williams' arm talent and mobility are obvious.
That's where Kelce's comments become especially interesting for Chicago.
Williams doesn't need to carry the Bears every week. He doesn't need to turn every broken play into something spectacular. Johnson's job is to make life easier on his quarterback, and Sunday offered a pretty convincing example of what the offense can look like when everything is operating on schedule.
There will still be growing pains when Williams returns. He's a young quarterback learning another offense, and one strong performance from Keenum doesn't erase that reality.
But Chicago hired Johnson largely because of what he could do for Williams.
Three weeks into the season, one of the most respected offensive linemen of his generation is already putting Johnson among the best offensive minds in football.
For Williams, that's a pretty good situation to come back to.
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