After having three offensive coordinators and two head coaches during his rookie season, Year 2 was going to be about progress for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams under the steady guidance of a capable coaching staff. There would be ups and downs, but the net gains would ideally be noticeable.
We have definitely seen those ups and downs this season. While Williams' fantasy managers can be frustrated by his inconsistency from that standpoint, it was going to come with the territory of drafting him as he refined his game.
Entering Week 14, Williams is the QB9 in fantasy. If that net result in QB1 territory (top-12) holds over the rest of the season, with a tough upcoming stretch of schedule to navigate, it will be considered a win with a positive trajectory for 2026 and beyond.
Caleb Williams unique fantasy upside could shine all the way through in 2026
Williams' arm talent and mobility, for better or worse, are what differentiate him from other quarterbacks. Bears' head coach Ben Johnson does not want to neuter those things, while also turning Williams into a refined pocket passer.
On a per-game basis, Williams is running a little bit more this season compared to his rookie season, and he has three rushing touchdowns after he failed to score on the ground last year. There's always a balance to be struck there, to avoid unnecessary hits, but the fantasy cheat code that is rushing production for a quarterback has been up and down for him this year.
With the end of the 2025 season coming quickly for some fantasy managers, some eyes could be cast toward 2026. Ryan Conway of Pro Football Focus has done just that, with some very early predictions for who will be the top fantasy scorer at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end next year.
Those No. 1 fantasy scorers at each position usually change every year, with few exceptions. Conway pointed toward being ahead of the curve in dynasty leagues, due to the year-round nature of that format, but managers in any format can begin stashing names for 2026 right now.
Conway has also planted his early flag for Williams to be the QB1 in 2026.
"For a new player to claim the QB1 crown, they need a unique blend of passing ability, weapons to throw to and rushing ability. When distilling all of that, there is one standout candidate to make the leap: Caleb Williams."
"Since the Bears’ last loss (Week 8 to the Baltimore Ravens), Williams has tossed seven touchdown passes (tied for third most) and made just three turnover-worthy plays (fifth fewest). He’s keeping company with MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford, and it’s nothing to scoff at."
"With Ben Johnson at the controls, Williams has every opportunity to not just be a QB1 in 2026, but the QB1 for 2026."
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Conway's note about Matthew Stafford brings visions of Williams as a younger version of the Rams' signal caller, but with the running ability Stafford never had. That would be a recipe for finishing as the QB1 in fantasy, and that kind of breakout is definitely in play for the Bears' signal caller in 2026.