Drake Maye Reaches Super Bowl First-But Caleb Williams Isn’t Far Behind
Super Bowl 60 is officially set, and while Chicago Bears fans were hoping their team would be part of the big game, the reality stings a little more knowing who did make it.
The Seattle Seahawks punched their ticket to the Super Bowl by outlasting the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-27 thriller to claim the NFC crown. On the AFC side, it was a grind-it-out, old-school defensive battle, and the New England Patriots emerged with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos. That victory sends rookie quarterback Drake Maye to the Super Bowl-and that’s where things hit a little closer to home for Bears fans.
Maye, the Patriots’ first-year signal-caller, becomes the first quarterback from the highly touted 2024 NFL Draft class to reach the Super Bowl. That’s the same class that featured Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J.
McCarthy, and Bo Nix. And while Maye gets the spotlight for now, Williams isn’t far behind-and he’s already making a strong case that his time is coming soon.
Maye Beats the Field to the Big Stage
Let’s be clear: No matter how the AFC Championship shook out, history was going to be made. Either Maye or Bo Nix-both top-12 picks from the 2024 draft-was going to be the first from their class to play on Super Bowl Sunday.
But with Nix sidelined due to an injury suffered in the Divisional Round against the Bills, the door opened for Maye to take that next step. And he walked right through it.
For Bears fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Williams was the prize of the draft class, the No. 1 pick, and the face of Chicago’s future.
Seeing another rookie from that same group reach the Super Bowl first? That stings.
But it shouldn’t overshadow what Williams has already accomplished-or what’s clearly on the horizon.
Williams Proves He’s the Real Deal
Let’s not lose sight of what Williams just did in his rookie season. The Bears went 11-6, captured the NFC North, and returned to the playoffs.
That alone is a massive step forward for a franchise that’s been searching for quarterback stability for decades. But Williams didn’t just manage games-he elevated the team.
His stat line speaks volumes: 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. Add in 388 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground, and you’ve got a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who showed poise, leadership, and elite-level playmaking from Day 1.
And here’s the kicker-Williams set an NFL record with seven comebacks and game-winning drives across the regular season and playoffs. That’s not just impressive; that’s clutch gene stuff. That’s the kind of trait that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
The Bears Are Close-And Williams Is the Key
If you’re a Bears fan, yes, it hurts to see Maye in the Super Bowl. But you also have to recognize what’s brewing in Chicago.
This team isn’t far off. The defense has bite, the offensive line has improved, and the skill positions are starting to click.
Most importantly, the Bears finally have a quarterback who looks capable of leading this franchise to a championship.
In the last 40 years, there hasn’t been a Bears quarterback who’s inspired this level of belief. Williams has the arm talent, the mobility, the leadership, and the swagger to take this team to the promised land. And while it won’t happen this year, all signs point to it being a matter of when, not if.
So yes, Drake Maye gets the first crack at Super Bowl glory. But don’t be surprised if Caleb Williams is right behind him-maybe even standing across from him on that same stage one day soon.