Caleb Williams was recently named to Tom Brady's "Player of the Game" list, being the only player to be listed twice. The feat is yet another accolade on Williams's shelf, providing further evidence of the progress made under Ben Johnson's offense. Williams' selections came after Week 3 and Week 16, respectively.
Brady interviewed Williams after each performance in a quarterback-to-quarterback exchange. Week 3 saw an excellent performance from Williams, throwing for just shy of 300 yards and four touchdowns. The performance saw Williams lead the Bears to a 31-14 victory over the Cowboys in Chicago, marking their first win of the season.
“I think it’s all the hard work that we all put in, and myself included, the footwork, having my eyes in the right spot, being able to see the defense and have an idea pre-snap… I didn’t get sacked today or nothing like that. And the guys being out there making plays on the edge.”
Caleb Williams in Control
Efficient football was Williams most needed improvement through the 2025 season, but Week 3 was an exception. The Bears had just been coming off of a difficult loss at the hands of the Lions, and had fallen to 0-2. Teams must do their best not to falter in those moments; the season is still young, and momentum can be gained.
A performance like the one Williams posted usually acts as a catalyst for the team, and this was no different. The Bears went on a four-game winning streak after this game, then lost to the Ravens, only to go on a five-game winning streak afterward. It's safe to say by the time Week 16 rolled around, the Bears were in a much greater position, and the NFC North was held in the balance.
“You go out there and you practice these things, and you practice with a certain competitiveness to you and a certain tenaciousness at practice. And you come out and, you know, you let that ball go, you know it’s good.”
Unlike Week 3, this wasn't about staying on schedule or spreading the ball around. This was one of the biggest games against a division rival and a significant point in the Johnson/Williams era. Williams let loose a game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore for a walk-off win in overtime.
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Brady's recognition across two very different wins highlights Williams' growth more than any single statistic could. The common thread was trust, both in the early system and in the moment itself when the moment demanded it. That trust is what connected the process to the results.