Caleb Williams Is Already Changing the Game in Chicago - And His Rivals Know It
There’s no more wondering if Caleb Williams is the real deal - the answer’s been clear for a while in Chicago. But after a breakout sophomore season that saw the Bears go 11-6, win the NFC North, and notch a playoff victory over the rival Packers, the rest of the league is starting to catch on, too. Including the quarterback on the other sideline.
Packers QB Jordan Love, who faced Williams three times this past season, had nothing but respect for the Bears’ young signal-caller when speaking at the Super Bowl.
“Caleb’s done some incredible things,” Love said. “He made a great jump this year and played some pretty cool ball. He’s always been a splash player… he can change the game in an instant.”
Love’s not wrong. Williams didn’t just take a step forward in Year 2 - he made a leap. And he did it in a way that’s got the Bears, and their long-suffering fanbase, dreaming big.
A Record-Breaking Season
Let’s start with the numbers. Williams set a new Bears franchise record for passing yards in a single season with 3,942.
That’s no small feat in a city known more for its defense and running backs than its quarterbacks. He threw 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions - and that 1.2% interception rate?
It’s on pace to be the best in NFL history for a quarterback through his first 34 regular season games.
But stats only tell part of the story.
What really set Williams apart in 2025 was his knack for delivering in the clutch. He led seven game-winning drives between the regular season and the playoffs - an NFL record.
That’s not just impressive; that’s elite company. That’s the kind of stuff that turns promising young quarterbacks into franchise cornerstones.
The Off-Script Artist
Williams’ ability to create outside the structure of the offense is what makes him so dangerous. As Love put it, “He makes some of the best off-schedule plays I’ve seen.” That’s high praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about making magic happen when the play breaks down.
Whether it’s rolling out of the pocket and hitting a receiver on the move or threading a needle 40 yards downfield while on the run, Williams has a rare blend of arm talent, vision, and poise under pressure. He’s not just executing the offense - he’s elevating it.
The Completion Percentage Debate
Sure, the 58% completion rate in 2025 raised some eyebrows. But context matters. Williams isn’t padding his stats with checkdowns and screens - he’s pushing the ball downfield, taking calculated risks, and extending plays when most quarterbacks would throw it away.
And let’s be honest: he’s making throws that most NFL quarterbacks wouldn’t even try, let alone complete. The Bears aren’t asking him to be a game manager.
They’re asking him to be a game-changer. And more often than not, he’s delivering.
The Rivalry Is Heating Up
The Bears-Packers rivalry has always been one of the NFL’s most storied matchups, but it’s been lopsided for the better part of the last two decades. Now, with Williams in Chicago and Love in Green Bay, we might be entering a new golden age of the rivalry - one led by two young quarterbacks who respect each other and aren’t afraid of the moment.
Love summed it up perfectly: “We’ll have some great battles going forward. He’ll be in Chicago for a long time. Shoutout to him, he’s a great player.”
What’s Next?
Williams’ second season wasn’t flawless, but it was about as close as you can get for a young quarterback still getting his feet under him in the NFL. He broke records, won games, and brought a sense of belief to a franchise that’s been searching for a quarterback like him for decades.
And perhaps most importantly, he earned the respect of his peers - including the ones trying to stop him.
The Bears have their guy. And the rest of the league is officially on notice.