Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels was a hot topic throughout 2024. Some wondered if the more experienced Daniels should’ve been the Chicago Bears‘ choice at #1 overall. He’d just won the Heisman trophy. It certainly didn’t help that he immediately led the Washington Commanders from the NFL basement to the NFC Championship game as a rookie. He was lauded as charismatic, approachable, and on the cutting edge of quarterbacking thanks to his embracing of VR training. Daniels was the next big thing. Williams went 5-12, got sacked 68 times, and was slandered by reports of him being a diva and even dyslexic.
It’s clear who got the better quarterback.
Well, apparently, a lot can change in a year. Williams ascended in 2025, throwing for 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while leading the Bears to a division title. It was highlighted by seven 4th quarter comebacks along the way, including a 21-3 comeback over Green Bay in the wild card round. Daniels saw his season ended early by injuries, a concern many had about him pre-draft. Things only got worse from there. Many started criticizing him for letting his mother constantly interfere with anything.
Now he may have harmed that “good guy” image irreparably when he informed LSU that they could no longer use his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in anything after allowing a cornerback to wear his #5 jersey. People see it as a profound case of insecurity and an inflated ego.
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Caleb Williams has operated on a totally different wavelength.
While Daniels has been warring with the program that helped make him a star, the Bears quarterback has taken every opportunity to give back to his. Williams has been present at USC even after departing for the NFL. He even famously attended the team’s most recent pro day this spring and considered throwing at the event when players asked him. That tells you how dedicated and loyal he remains to the program. He’s always looking for ways to give back. It makes you wonder how much of Daniels’ aw-shucks routine is real or performance.
Whatever the case, it is pretty clear the narrative has flipped between the two. Caleb Williams has become the fan favorite thanks to his death-defying play style and easy-going personality. Daniels is still a good player. There is no reason to think he can’t get back on track. That said, it feels like his image has taken some serious lumps over the past several months. That squeaky-clean reputation looks a little more tarnished. If nothing else, the two are finally being judged on equal footing.
Williams may have the decisive advantage now.
Washington showed serious problems last season. Much of it came from how old their roster was. It came back to bite them. They fired offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for puzzling reasons this offseason, forcing Daniels to start over with David Blough, who has never called an offense before. If that weren’t bad enough, left tackle Laremy Tunsil was lost for the season to a torn triceps. The situation around Daniels looks shakier than ever. Meanwhile, things are solidifying for Williams.
Ben Johnson is entrenched as the head coach and offensive play caller. The offensive line is laden with established veterans. He has an emerging star tight end in Colston Loveland and a deep roster of talented young wide receivers. This is the best situation any Bears quarterback has been in for decades. His training camp has gone extremely well by all accounts. It feels like this will be the year he makes a definitive statement about who the best really is.
