The Chicago Bears have found a star in quarterback Caleb Williams, who has quickly become one of the faces of the NFL following a standout sophomore campaign under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, where he led his team to an 11-win season, NFC North title and set the franchise single-season passing record.
Williams earned a reputation for being one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL, leading an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including the playoffs, where he made some improbable and downright insane plays to extend games and help lead his team to victory.
NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales, who primarily covers the NFC North, saw it last season. In fact, she believes that Williams is the most feared quarterback in the division, which is based off what opposing players said about the former No. 1 overall pick before facing him last season.
“The most feared quarterback in the division, by the rest of the division, is Caleb Williams,” Dales said recently on 104.3 The Score. “This guy is insane. When opposing teams call him Houdini… I’ve gotten Houdini from so many defensive players facing him the week I covered him.”
Williams’ ability to evade pressure, in Houdini fashion, played a key role in many of those fourth-quarter comebacks. It’s also a big reason why the Bears allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, along with the revamped offensive line, that allowed the offense to flourish.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Williams heading into 2026, his second season with Johnson, who played a big role in his development last season. Now with a full year in this offense, an abundance of playmakers, a solid offensive line and Johnson calling the plays, Williams is primed for another big season. And it goes without saying he’ll be the focus for opposing defenses.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Is Bears star Caleb Williams the most feared QB in NFC North?
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
