Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, the buzz around Caleb Williams was deafening-and for good reason. The former USC standout had all the tools: arm talent, mobility, poise, and that unteachable knack for making something out of nothing.
Now, deep into his second season with the Chicago Bears, Williams is showing exactly why he was the consensus No. 1 pick. And it's not just fans or analysts taking notice-some of the sharpest minds in the NFL are tipping their cap, including none other than 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Ahead of San Francisco’s pivotal Week 17 clash with the Bears, Shanahan didn’t hold back when asked about the young quarterback. Known for his meticulous approach to offense and quarterback development, Shanahan has worked with the likes of Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and most recently, Brock Purdy-turning “Mr.
Irrelevant” into a playoff-caliber starter. So when he speaks highly of a quarterback, it carries weight.
“Caleb is one of the best throwers and athletic quarterbacks I’ve ever seen,” Shanahan said. “He makes some big-time throws. Extremely scary on the perimeter.”
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a genuine acknowledgment of what Williams has been doing on the field.
Over the last few weeks, he’s elevated his play to another level-combining elite arm strength with the kind of mobility that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. He’s not just escaping pressure; he’s extending plays and turning broken situations into highlight-reel moments.
Shanahan went a step further, noting how Williams’ ability to hold the ball-without panic-forces defenses into uncomfortable territory. “He can hold onto the ball for a while-not in a bad way, but by creating stuff, which makes coverages have to hold out forever,” Shanahan added.
That’s the kind of praise you don’t hear every day, especially from a coach preparing to face the guy. But it’s earned. Williams isn’t just flashing potential-he’s delivering results in real time, and doing it with a level of confidence and creativity that’s rare for a second-year quarterback.
Sunday’s matchup between the Bears and 49ers isn’t just another late-season game. San Francisco is fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive, and Chicago is looking to keep building momentum behind its young star. Shanahan’s words won’t make Williams any easier to stop, but they do underscore just how much respect the league is starting to show him.
The hype that surrounded Caleb Williams on draft night? It’s starting to look more like prophecy.