Coaching QB Stars: Insights on Caleb Williams & Josh Allen

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Coaching Creative Quarterbacks and the Competitive Fire of Josh Allen

Coaching an off-schedule quarterback like Caleb Williams can be challenging for an offensive coordinator and head coach. His movement makes it difficult to know where he will be in the pocket, leaving Ben Johnson with the task of creating an offense around his creativity.

Johnson had plenty of options when he left Detroit, where he worked with a traditional pocket quarterback in a play-action offense that emphasized protection. He saw Williams within the division and recognized how much fun it could be to coach a player with that style.

It is similar to coaching Jaden at Arizona State. The approach was simple: work through the first read, move to the second and take off if nobody is open. Rather than forcing a third read, Jaden was encouraged to make a play, run for the first down and then get out of bounds or slide.

Josh Allen is special not only because of his physical attributes, but also because of how hard he competes. Young athletes should watch him play regardless of which sports or teams they follow. Instead of viewing him only as a quarterback, they should watch him as a football player and focus on his competitive effort.

That competitiveness is Allen’s defining quality. He is an exciting player who is simply fun to watch.