The Player: Caleb Williams was the #1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, taken by Chicago with the selection earned from the trade with the Carolina Panthers.
The Case For Him: He currently leads the NFC
in 4th-quarter comebacks and he just set the record for the fewest interceptions (12) of any quarterback in league history over his first thousand pass attempts. His ability to escape pressure is second to none, and he leads the league in sacks evaded.
The Case Against Him: His accuracy leaves something to be desired. He has a tendency to put the ball where the defenders have no chance of getting it–and that means that a lot of times, the receivers are also out of luck. He also tends to throw away a lot of balls. He trails a few quarterbacks in these sorts of metrics. As a result, his passer rating is lower than it could be.
Rebuttal: He does things that other passers who are technically more accurate just cannot do, and his ability to change the game with a single play is truly remarkable.
Vote for Williams here, and while you’re there check out the other Bears who lead in their position groups (voting rank per Tom Pelissero in parenthesis):
Defensive Line: Defensive End-Montez Sweat (#8)
Defensive Back: Free Safety-Kevin Byard (#1), Cornerback-Nahshon Wright (#2), Strong Safety-Jaquan Brisker (#9)
Offensive Line: Guard-Joe Thuney (#1), Center-Drew Dalman (#2), Tackle-Darnell Wright (#4), and Guard-Jonah Jackson (#7)
Skills Players: Quarterback-Caleb Williams (#7), Tight End-Colston Loveland (#8), Wide Receiver-Rome Odunze (#10), Running Back-D’Andre Swift (#10)
Special Teams Players: Special Team Player-Josh Blackwell (#3), Long Snapper-Scott Daly (#3), Returner-Devin Duvernay (#4), Punter-Tory Taylor (#8)
