The NFL has released its Week 18 quarterback power rankings, and Caleb Williams made the list at #8.
The list sections the players off into tiers, with varying numbers of players in each category. With Williams finishing at #8 and "Tier 1" containing seven players, he's the top performer in the "Tier 2" section.
Though it may seem as though Williams is on a different level, this isn't necessarily the case. Williams had a stellar outing against the 49ers in Week 17, and he jumped six spots up in the ranking from the previous list. Amidst season-long accuracy and efficiency issues, Williams has been playing well, and the Bears' record and divisional victories reflect that.
On the Doorstep, Not Outside It
Through 16 games this season, Williams has posted 25 passing touchdowns to only six interceptions. He holds the opportunity to break the Bears' single-season passing yard record and be the first Bears 4,000-yard passer. A 57.9 completion percentage is among the lowest in football, yet the Bears are winning.
What does it matter if the quarterback isn't completing as much as we'd like if they're still winning the game? The quarterback position is ultimately about controlling the game, and the responsibility of the man under center is about much more than his accuracy.
The most telling part of Williams' landing at No. 8 is not the tier label but the names surrounding him. He's grouped with established starters and former postseason quarterbacks, not developmental projects or rookies. That context matters. Rankings like this are less about ceilings and more about trust, and Williams is already being evaluated alongside quarterbacks expected to carry offenses week to week.
Williams landing in the eighth spot is less about exclusion and more about positioning. He's no longer being evaluated based on flash performances, but rather on how he's managed a successful season overall. Efficiency questions and accuracy problems get fixed with more reps and more coaching, and the Bears aren't keen on changing mechanics while the team is winning.
Tier 2 isn't the ceiling for Williams; it's merely the next obstacle for the young quarterback to hurdle. Williams has shown his capability for real growth on many occasions.
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But the brink of a playoff berth is not the time to change things up, especially when things are working. With few games left in the football season, continuity and execution matter most in the here and now.