In his second NFL season, Caleb Williams delivered a performance that put him alongside rare company in Bears history.
On Sunday, the former No. 1 overall pick threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, with no sacks, in Chicago’s 31-14 rout of the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the first Bears quarterback since Rex Grossman to post those numbers in a decisive national-stage victory.
A monster afternoon
Williams looked in complete control from the openign drive. He connected on a 35-yard touchdown dot to Rome Odunze in the first quarter, then added a highlight-reel with a flea flicker 65-yard bomb to second round pick Luther Burden. By halftime, he had already thrown for 239 yards and three touchdowns, overwhelming Dallas defense and giving the Bears a commanding lead.
He wasn’t done, though. In the second half, Williams found Cole Kmet for a 10-yard touchdown and later capped the day with a four-yard strike to DJ Moore. By the time the clock wound down, he had completed 19 of 28 passes and showcased the efficiency, accuracy, and confidence Chicago envisioned when they made him the franchise cornerstone.
Echoes of Rex Grossman
For longtime Bears fans, Williams performance stirred memories of Grossman’s 2006 season, when Chicago last paired explosive play with a dominant team performance. Grossman was the last Bears signal-caller to put up multiple four-touchdown, near-300 yard games in big wins — something that had rained elusive until Williams broke throguh on Sunday.
The comparison highlights not Williams progress but also the rarity of this kind of offensive output in Bears history. For nearly two decades, the position defined by inconinconsistency. Williams stepping into that territory marks an important shift.
Supporting cast delivers
While Williams was the clear star, the Bears playmakers and defense made the win complete. Burden posted 101 receiving yards, Odunze stretched the field, and Moore added another steady performance. Deandre Swfit provided balance on the ground, keeping Dallas from keying exclusively on the passing game.
On defense, Chicago was relentless after halftime. The Bears intercepted Dak Prescott twice, sacked him twice, and kept the Cowboys scoreless over the final two quarters. The complementary effort turned what could have been a tight contest into a comfortable win.
Bigger than One Game
For the Bears, the victory was more than just their first of the season. It was a statement that Williams is not only progressing but capable of delivering defining performances in his second year. After a shaky outing in Week 2 against Detroit, this game showed growth, composure, and the ability to elevate his team in a high-profile matchup.
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Final snap
On Sunday, Caleb Williams joined Rex Grossman in a unique slice of Bears history, delivering a four-touchdown, near-300-yard outing in a decisive win. For Chicago, it was more than just a long-awaited first of the season — it was glimpse of what consistent quarterback excellence could finally look like.