The biggest takeaway for the Chicago Bears from the 2025 season was whether they could move forward with Caleb Williams as their starting quarterback.
Head coach Ben Johnson was hard on him, but he turned out to be the perfect coach to bring out the talent in Williams. While there were ups and downs, Williams ended up among the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL, according to Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report.
Caleb Williams ranks in top 10 quarterbacks
Johnson pulled it out of him, and when Williams was struggling, Johnson's playcalling was vital. Still, you have to credit Williams for putting in the work and improving. He makes plenty of plays off-script that many quarterbacks simply cannot make, and he has the vision and arm talent to make it happen when others cannot.
However, what is interesting to note is who the other nine teams are ahead of the Bears. Only one is not in the playoffs. So, of the playoff quarterbacks, he ranks ninth out of 14. It does not sound quite as strong at this point.
Of the NFC quarterbacks, he is fifth of seven. Again, not quite as good. He is below Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, and Matthew Stafford. This puts him ahead of Jalen Hurts and Bryce Young.
It is easy to judge just 2025 and say that Williams is better than Hurts, but it is not as easy when you put the full resume on the table. When the playoffs start, do you want the experience of Hurts or a first-year Williams?
This does not speak poorly of Williams, but rather that the conversation is turning up. We know that he belongs in the NFL; that box was just checked. Now, he needs to ascend from a passable starter to a good starter, or someone that fans can trust to win games.
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That is a big step, and it may take time and playoff wins before the perception starts to change. Still, as he starts to climb into the ranks of better quarterbacks, these are the standards he will be faced with.