Caleb Williams‘ rise has stopped being a promise and become a reality that threatens the established order in the NFL. After leading the Chicago Bears to the NFC North title for the first time in seven years, the narrative surrounding the young quarterback has reached a new level. Analyst Colin Cowherd has made a bold prediction: Williams not only belongs among the elite, but is destined to surpass figures like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.
The numbers from the 2025 season support that optimism. Williams totaled 3,942 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, with just seven interceptions. In addition, his mobility was a key factor, adding 388 rushing yards and three scores.
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But beyond the statistics, it is his mindset that excites Chicago. In a recent appearance on the podcast “The Rush with Maxx Crosby,” Williams stated: “I really want to become the best offense this year, that’s what’s on my mind. Finding ways to score points every time we’re on the field.”
The comparative analysis: Williams versus the giants
To understand why analysts believe Williams can surpass today’s benchmarks, it is necessary to look at the performance of his rivals in the last campaign, which was atypical due to injuries.
In terms of passing production, Caleb Williams outperformed both stars by recording 3,942 yards, while Mahomes finished with 3,587 and Burrow with 1,809. In the scoring department, the Bears’ young signal-caller also led with 27 touchdown passes, leaving behind Mahomes’ 22 and Burrow’s 17.
Ball security was another strong point for the Mexican; while Caleb threw just seven interceptions, Mahomes recorded 11 before his injury, and Burrow remained at five due to his limited participation. Finally, the impact on collective success is evident: under Williams’ leadership, Chicago reached an 11-6 record, while Mahomes’ team (6-8) and Burrow’s squad (3-5 in his starts) struggled with the physical inconsistency of their leaders.
The key to the Bears’ success was an offense that finished among the top ten for the first time since 2013, supported by a rushing duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who combined for 1,870 yards. If Williams maintains his low turnover rate and fulfills his promise of turning Chicago into the number one offense in 2026, Cowherd’s prophecy could come true much sooner than expected.
