Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels, the heated debate that will never end

In this story:
Last night, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led his Washington Commanders to a last-gasp 23-20 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Last night, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did…something. We can't know what, because Chicago’s signal caller wasn’t on national television.
As the two field generals were picked one and two in their draft class, the Caleb vs. Jayden comparisons are going to be a thing for their entire careers:
- Who’s better?
- Who will be better?
- Will Caleb grow in year two?
- Will Jayden regress in year two?
- Which team got it right?
- Which one screwed up?
- Or are they both really good quarterbacks, and we can finally put this discussion to bed?
And so on. And so on. And so on.
Bears Twitter and Commanders Twitter Chime In
To exactly nobody’s surprise, social media had plenty to say about the Caleb/Jayden conundrum in the hours after Washington’s Zane Gonzalez's perfectly executed doink ended the Bucs' 2024-25 season.
Some were very much on Team Caleb…
Yes, Jayden Daniels had a better rookie year than Caleb Williams. I don’t think anyone is arguing otherwise.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 13, 2025
Yes, it’s also incredibly stupid to play the “did the #Bears pick the wrong QB” game this early. Player evaluations aren’t concrete after one season. Come on.
The Jayden talk getting ridiculous. He’s been good but Caleb’s ceiling is way higher. Would still take Caleb 100/100 times
— ♠️♦️ Michi ♥️♣️ (@Cinematoracle) January 13, 2025
Sorry national media. I still draft Caleb over Jayden Daniels. #DaBears
— JB (@CoffeeeNBears) January 13, 2025
…while others were all Jayden, all the time.
GOOD MORNING! Seeing a lot people act as if Jayden Daniels didn’t go to a 4 win team and turn them into a 12 win team and playoffs in first season. GM Ryan Poles was so cocky and confident in Caleb Williams ability he kept a trash head coach he didn’t upgrade the OL he truly…
— Chi BC2 (@BC2__) January 13, 2025
Jayden Daniels >>>>Caleb Williams
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) January 13, 2025
Leadership
Poise
Force multiplier
Arm talent
College competition
Escapability
Playmaking
Consistency
Also, Daniels is doing everything behind an average OL with a middling offensive weapons.
I'm happy with Caleb Williams. He was sabotaged by poor leadership and a crappy offensive line. Roll with him.
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) January 13, 2025
But Jayden Daniels looks like a boss....
But there was a dissenting voice who doesn’t particularly appreciate either of them:
Everyone preferred Caleb Williams.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) January 12, 2025
Everyone preferred Jayden Daniels.
Everyone preferred Drake Maye.
Everyone preferred Michael Penix Jr.
Everyone preferred JJ McCarthy.
Some even preferred Spencer Rattler.
Shoutout to Bo Nix for an elite season.
The future is bright in Denver.
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Alan Goldsher has written about sports for Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Apple, Playboy, NFL.com, and NBA.com, and he’s the creator of the Chicago Sports Stuff Substack. He’s the bestselling author of 15 books, and the founder/CEO of Gold Note Records. Alan lives in Chicago, where he writes, makes music, and consumes and creates way too much Bears content. You can visit him at http://www.AlanGoldsher.com and http://x.com/AlanGoldsher.
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