Bear Digest

Caleb Williams Gets Disrespected Again in Latest NFL Quarterback Rankings

Caleb Williams once again finds himself ranked too low in a national QB list, raising questions about how much his 2025 impact is being overlooked.
Bryan Perez|
David Banks-Imagn Images

In this story:

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams continues to be victimized by recency bias.

In 2024, it was Jayden Daniels who should've been the first overall pick. Pundits suggested the Bears got it wrong after Daniels' sensational rookie year.

One season later, we see how that turned out.

Now, in 2025, it's Drake Maye who's the belle of the 2024 NFL draft ball. As for Williams? Sure, his reputation has improved following his breakout year with Ben Johnson, but he's still chasing the best-in-class ranking.

According to FanDuel, that distinction belongs to Maye.

To be fair, this ranking covers the last three NFL drafts. Williams is No. 2, which, normally, would be fantastic.

But there's still that sinking feeling whenever a Bears fan sees another 2024 draft classmate as No. 1.

Maye remains a fascinating long-term talent. But ranking him ahead of Williams feels unfair, especially considering that the Chicago Bears asked Williams to do more, more often, with less margin of error.

MORE: Senior Bowl Standout Linked to Chicago Bears as 2026 NFL Draft Fit

This isn't meant to dismiss Maye. It's about recognizing that quarterback rankings should reflect just how much Williams has impacted the Bears in just two seasons. He became the reason why Chicago was relevant in January, the reason opposing defenses couldn't rest, even with a big fourth-quarter lead, and the reason the Bears are a legitimate 2026 Super Bowl contender.

Williams set the Bears' single-season passing record in 2025 and became the first quarterback under 25 years old to have seven fourth-quarter comeback victories in one year.

That's really impressive.

MORE: ESPN 2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft Sends Chicago Bears Defensive Help Early

I get it. The Patriots are in the Super Bowl this year. And Drake Maye is considered an NFL MVP candidate. But their road to this point was wide and freshly paved (check out who they played and get back to me).

Williams, meanwhile, has overcome more obstacles in his first two seasons than most quarterbacks face in a career. And he's only getting better.

Caleb Williams reset expectations for himself and the Chicago Bears in 2025. Any ranking that places him anywhere but No. 1 in the cluster of quarterbacks drafted in the last three years deserves serious scrutiny.

More Chicago Bears News

Sign Up For the Bears Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Chicago Bears Newsletter

Published
Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

Home/News