Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, displayed high-end playmaking in his sophomore NFL season. He threw two touchdowns in the playoff game, including a late, deep strike with 18 seconds remaining in regulation, but also accounted for three interceptions. Across the regular season, Williams ranked 10th in EPA (expected points added) with 79.8, and finished seventh in passing yards (3,942) and sixth in touchdowns (27), while taking 27 sacks (tied for 15th fewest with three other QBs).
With only 34 NFL starts including playoffs, Williams solidified his position among the league’s top quarterbacks, a sentiment echoed by external evaluators. NFL.com’s Nick Shook ranked Williams No. 8 among quarterbacks who started at least one game in 2025, noting a notable leap from his rookie year and highlighting his postseason heroics, including the Wild Card comeback against the Packers.
The ranking underscores Williams’ rapid ascent as the Bears’ quarterback of the present and potential future, following a season that positioned Chicago’s window to compete for championships more firmly than in years past.
In context, Williams’ 2025 season saw him rise 20 spots on NFL.com’s quarterback list, finishing 28th overall after his rookie season’s 48th-pace placement. Among the top 15 signal-callers listed, Williams was the most experienced quarterback outside the top tier, with only Drake Maye (two years) and a longer career arc separating him from veterans at the summit.
Overall, Williams’ performance solidified a turning point for the Bears, illustrating the impact of a young, high-caliber quarterback on the franchise’s trajectory as it enters the next phase of its rebuilding and potential postseason contention.
