Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looked every bit like the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft during a stellar Week 1 performance against the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears put up 59 points in a wild 59-37 victory, but Williams was the bigger storyline. Entering Year 3 with another opportunity to cement himself as Chicago’s franchise quarterback, the former USC star opened the season with the type of performance Bears fans have been waiting for.
Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, finishing with a 124.1 passer rating while completing 72.4 percent of his passes. It was only one game, but after watching Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make their own statements over the past two seasons, is this finally Williams’ turn?
With NFL QB Futures now turning its attention to Year 2 and Year 3 quarterbacks, Williams is a perfect place to start. After a strong second season, Year 3 could be when he takes his biggest leap yet.
Caleb Williams is already answering a major Year 3 question
Most notably, Williams’ 72.4 completion percentage was an encouraging sign after NFL Mocks identified improved accuracy as one of his biggest Year 3 challenges. It was just one game, but the Bears quarterback is off to a great start in his second season under head coach Ben Johnson.
Fired up after his performance and the team’s win, the third-year quarterback hopes the offense keeps it rolling from week to week.
"It's how we want to look each week," Williams said. "And that doesn't just happen. It happens over time. It happens through training camp, OTAs. It happens through the week of preparation that we have. It happens with having open communication throughout the week about what works, what doesn't work."
After a breakout sophomore campaign, Williams is beginning to look like the quarterback the Bears envisioned when they selected him No. 1 overall. Following a rocky rookie season, a coaching change and improved personnel around him, the former USC star is looking more like the player who once established himself as the best quarterback in college football.
His passing, off-script playmaking and mobility were all on display in Week 1.
Can that continue?
The ingredients are certainly there. If the Bears’ offensive line gives Williams time to throw and the running back duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai continues to make an impact, Chicago has the pieces to put together more explosive offensive performances under Johnson.
Is it Caleb Williams’ turn to lead the 2024 NFL QB class?
While the defense did give up 37 points, teams are going to have a tough time keeping up with this offense if Williams continues his trajectory as one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks.
And perhaps it is finally his turn to take the baton from the other quarterbacks in his draft class.
Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in 2024, won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led his team to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. Drake Maye, selected one pick later, followed with an MVP-caliber second season that ended with a trip to the Super Bowl.
Now, Williams has his opportunity to make Year 3 his statement season.
This is the type of quarterback play Bears fans envisioned when the team hired Johnson. Williams has always possessed the arm talent, mobility and ability to create outside structure. The question entering Year 3 was whether he could become a more consistent and efficient passer while taking another step as the leader of the offense.
Week 1 was a pretty strong answer.
Ben Johnson has given Caleb Williams the offense he needs
Speaking of the Bears’ pumped-up head coach, Johnson was impressed with what his quarterback and offense were able to show against the Panthers.
"I thought Caleb came out pretty hot in this game," Johnson said, "but I think really when you look at the stat sheet, the story of the game ended up being the rushing. Offensive line, shoutout to them. But it was collective with the tight ends, and the receivers were blocking their tails off as well. 'Swifty' and Monangai were able to do a great job there. Caleb added quite a bit with his feet also."
That rushing attack could be one of the biggest factors in Williams taking another step in Year 3. With Swift and Monangai giving the Bears balance, Williams doesn't have to carry the entire offense himself.
That could make him an even more dangerous quarterback, especially if he continues improving his completion percentage, protects the football and grows into a bigger leadership role.
Daniels had his moment in Year 1. Maye followed in Year 2.
If Week 1 was any indication, Year 3 could be Williams’ turn.
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