The NFC Divisional playoff matchup at Soldier Field is more than just a high-stakes postseason clash - it’s a full-circle moment for Caleb Williams. The Bears’ rookie quarterback, now set to face off against Matthew Stafford for the second time, grew up watching the veteran gunslinger lead the Detroit Lions. Now, he’s across the field from him again, this time with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line.
Williams got the better of Stafford in their first meeting, a 24-20 win at home. But this second go-around feels different.
Stafford, now 37 and in his 17th NFL season, remains one of the most polished quarterbacks in the game. And for Williams, 24, there’s a deep appreciation - and plenty to learn - from watching a master at work.
“He’s at the top of the game right now at his age,” Williams said this week. “That’s something you can learn from. Just the way he plays - you drop back, and he’s got what everybody calls ‘snake eyes.’”
Snake eyes - not the dice roll, but the quarterback version - is what Williams calls Stafford’s uncanny ability to manipulate defenders without even needing a receiver in the area. It’s a next-level skill, born from years of experience and deep understanding of defensive structure. Stafford knows where defenders should be - and more importantly, how to move them where he wants them to go.
That kind of quarterbacking nuance is what separates the good from the great. It’s not just about arm strength or mobility. It’s about controlling the game with your eyes, your feet, your mind - and Stafford checks all those boxes.
“His feet are always under him,” Williams continued. “He can make any throw at any time.
A guy’s in his face, a lineman’s getting pushed back, he’s not even looking - all these different things. It comes down to his feet.”
That’s not just lip service. Williams has spent the entire season working on his footwork under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
It’s been a foundational focus for the rookie - syncing his drops with route timing, staying balanced in chaos, and developing the kind of base that allows for consistent throws under pressure. And in Stafford, Williams sees a living, breathing blueprint of what that looks like at its highest level.
“Watching him over the years, and now in person, it’s going to be fun and enjoyable,” Williams said.
This weekend, of course, Williams won’t be watching - he’ll be competing. But Stafford’s influence isn’t lost on him.
While Johnson hasn’t formally connected the two quarterbacks, the mutual respect is there. Johnson himself, who worked with Stafford during his time with the Lions, made it clear he holds the veteran passer in the highest regard.
And why wouldn’t he? Stafford’s résumé speaks for itself - Super Bowl champion, over 50,000 passing yards, and a reputation for being one of the toughest, most cerebral quarterbacks of his generation.
For Williams, the challenge now is to channel everything he’s learned - from Stafford, from Johnson, from a season’s worth of ups and downs - into one complete performance. Because if the Bears are going to pull off the upset, it’ll take more than admiration. It’ll take execution.
But if there’s one thing we know about Caleb Williams, it’s that he’s not just a student of the game - he’s a quick study. And with another playoff showdown against one of his idols on deck, he’s got the perfect opportunity to show just how far he’s come.