With the Chicago Bears’ 2025 season in the books, the attention now shifts from game plans to offseason blueprints. The goal? Turning a promising playoff run into something more-something with confetti and a Lombardi Trophy at the end of it.
The next few months will be crucial. The NFL Scouting Combine, free agency, and the 2026 NFL Draft are all looming on the calendar. But until then, it’s open season for evaluation, debate, and, of course, rankings.
One of the more talked-about lists to drop recently was ESPN analyst Seth Walder’s annual “Top 100 Real NFL MVP Candidates” for the 2025 season. This isn’t your standard MVP list-it’s a data-driven breakdown that tries to measure true player value relative to position. Walder uses a mix of advanced stats, All-Pro recognition, and input from front offices and colleagues around the league to build out his ballot.
The methodology is clear: quarterbacks are going to dominate the top of the list because of their positional impact, but the list is capped at 16 QBs. That leaves room for standout players at other positions-edge rushers, tackles, and yes, even interior linemen-to get their due.
Two Chicago Bears made the cut: right tackle Darnell Wright at No. 41 and left guard Joe Thuney at No. 44.
Both were anchors on an offensive line that quietly became one of the best in football this season. Wright took a major leap in Year 2, and Thuney brought veteran stability and elite-level play to the interior.
Their inclusion makes total sense.
But one name was notably absent: Caleb Williams.
The rookie quarterback didn’t crack Walder’s top 100, and that raised some eyebrows. Walder addressed the omission on social media, explaining that Williams was considered for the final quarterback spot but ultimately left off due to concerns about efficiency. He pointed to Williams’ QBR (58.3), his league-worst off-target rate, and a completion percentage over expected that ranked dead last in the NFL.
Those metrics are fair game. They tell part of the story. But they don’t tell the whole story.
Williams wasn’t perfect in his rookie campaign, but he showed flashes of why he was the No. 1 overall pick. His sack rate-just 3.78%-was the fourth-best in the league, a testament to his pocket awareness and quick decision-making. He also posted a 3.86% touchdown-to-interception ratio, solid numbers for a first-year starter navigating the NFL learning curve.
And then there’s the clutch factor. Williams engineered six fourth-quarter comeback drives during the regular season.
That’s not something you can easily plug into a spreadsheet, but it matters. When the Bears needed a play late, more often than not, he delivered.
It’s also worth noting that Williams was operating in a brand-new offensive system under coordinator Ben Johnson. The growth curve was steep, but Williams climbed it. By the end of the season, he looked far more comfortable, showing better command of the offense and improved chemistry with his receivers.
Meanwhile, quarterbacks like Brock Purdy (No. 89), Baker Mayfield (No. 71), and C.J.
Stroud (No. 37) did make the list. All three had solid seasons, but the argument can be made that Williams’ impact-especially given the context of his situation-was just as significant, if not more so.
This isn’t about discrediting the process behind the list. It’s about recognizing that player value can’t always be captured by numbers alone.
Williams didn’t light up every advanced metric, but he passed the eye test more often than not. He showed poise, playmaking ability, and leadership-all traits that suggest he’s on the verge of something special.
If he continues to develop under Johnson and the Bears continue to build around him, it’s hard to imagine Williams being left off lists like this much longer. His rookie season was a foundation.
The next step? Turning potential into production-and production into postseason wins.
For now, he’ll have to settle for being a glaring omission. But if history’s any guide, that kind of slight tends to stick with great quarterbacks. And it just might fuel the next step in Caleb Williams’ rise.