The Chicago Bears are 9-3 at 12 into the 2025 season, perched at the top of the NFC standings and drawing talk that hasn’t hit the Windy City like this in a long time. And at the center of it all is their young signal‑caller, Caleb Williams. Critics have been cautious, fans have been eager, but here’s the truth: Williams may be the most underrated quarterback in the entire NFL right now — and the numbers back it up.
Not Just Hype: 2025 by the Numbers
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, came into this season with lofty goals. Through 11 games this season (with the Bears 9–3), he’s thrown for 2,568 yards, 16 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, putting him on a pace that could challenge franchise passing records.
In short, those are not “just good” numbers. They are historically significant for this franchise. In 2024, Williams already recorded 3,541 yards — the fifth‑best single‑season mark in Bears history.
If he keeps up his current pace, he stands a real shot at becoming the first Bears quarterback ever to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in a season — rewriting the club’s history books in the process.
Game‑to‑Game: Flashes, Growth, and Grit
Take the Week 3 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys. Williams delivered quietly one of his boldest performances of the season: 298 passing yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions — pure efficiency and fire.
That kind of day isn’t just a flash. It is the sort of “I’m here now” statement from a young QB still defining his NFL identity, a moment when potential becomes proof.
Yes, there have been bumps: a few games with incomplete downfields, some under‑200 yard outings, and the occasional interception or off‑target pass. Most recently, in the Bears’ 24–15 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams was 17 of 36 for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But even that “sub‑par” outing delivered a win, and wins are what matter most when you’re chasing a postseason berth. Plus, he added scrappy touches — the Bears leaned on a heavy ground game that night, showing that Williams isn’t the kind of QB who gets precious about his stats. He’s in it for the team — and for wins.
That combination of talent, resilience, and down‑to‑earth seriousness gives him a shot at something rare: not just being “good for his age,” but quietly earning respect as a top‑tier starter who just happens to be underrated by the outside world.
Why “Underrated”? Because Perception Still Lags the Reality
Here’s why many still sleep on Williams, even as he delivers:
- People tend to discount young QBs, especially a No. 1 pick in a franchise that’s struggled at the position for decades.
- Completion percentage (hovering around high‑50s to low‑60s) and the occasional rough outing — they get noticed.
- The Bears historically are not “sexy,” and their offense doesn’t always flash in highlight reels.
Combine all that with a conservative public expectation and media noise, and you have a recipe for being underrated — even when you light up the stat sheet.
But let’s be blunt: that narrative is outdated. Because what Williams is doing — building consistency, delivering clutch wins, quietly climbing franchise record books — is exactly what you want in a quarterback. And yes, it’s rare to see it this early.
Impact on the Team — and the City
At 9–3, the Bears are not just winning, they look dangerous. Every quarterback has pressure — but few carry it like Williams, who’s been tasked with leading a storied franchise that hasn’t had long‑term QB stability in years.
But rather than buckle, he’s smiling through it, steady under center. His presence gives the Bears a foundation at perhaps the most important position in football. He’s giving Chicago a reason to believe again.
And it shows: the team is clicking, the run game is rolling, and when the game is on the line, Williams has shown the composure to make or take what comes. That kind of leadership doesn’t always show up in stat sheets, but every win — and every late‑game drive — has a little bit of his fingerprint on it.
He’s growing up under center in front of a tough fan base, a hungry locker room, and a city starving for relevance. So far, he’s making them proud. And quietly, confidently, he’s rewriting expectations.
What’s Next: Opportunity Knocking
With the second half of the season ahead, Williams has a shot at a historic campaign. If he keeps up even a moderate pace — say, 230–240 yards per game — he could crush the 4,000‑yard mark, set a new single‑season passing record for Chicago, and prove beyond a doubt that he’s one of the league’s rising elite.
The stakes are high: playoffs, division title, maybe even something deeper. The spotlight will grow brighter. And with it, so might the pressure.
But if his body language, poise, and previous performances mean anything — and they do — Williams isn’t just ready. He’s built for this.
Bottom Line: The Most Underrated — But Not for Long
So yes, the label of “underrated” still fits. For now. But under that label lies something powerful: a young quarterback quietly rewriting not just his own narrative — but the narrative of a franchise.
Caleb Williams isn’t flashy every week. He doesn’t always bounce the ball off into the skyline. He isn’t the kind of player who demands headlines after every throw.
He just wins. And that might be the boldest statement any quarterback can make.
If you’re watching the 2025 season, pay attention. Because the kid with #18 in Chicago isn’t a project anymore — he’s a contender.