The exclusive starting rookie QB club without Caleb Williams in it
![Caleb Williams gets off a pass with Andrew Van Ginkel applying pressure for the Vikings. Caleb Williams gets off a pass with Andrew Van Ginkel applying pressure for the Vikings.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4554,h_2561,x_0,y_358/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bear_digest/01jjqsxw13rhy2a20e3m.jpg)
Consider it one more statement about how far new Bears coach Ben Johnson must go in preparing Caleb Williams to face the 2025 season.
Rookie QB Drake Maye from New England and Steelers QB Russell Wilson were selected to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl Games after Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson chose not to participate and Patrick Mahomes had made the Super Bowl.
There was another alternate who was selected before Maye. This was Denver quarterback Bo Nix, but he is having surgery and can't participate in these games the league holds in lieu of playing an actual tackle football all-star game.
Second overall pick Jayden Daniels made it in the NFC, along with veteran QBs Sam Darnold and Jared Goff.
Rome Odunze on his relationship with Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/JxO8JSmJpN
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) January 28, 2025
So, three of the four Round 1 rookie quarterbacks who started most of the season's games received Pro Bowl invitations.
The only quarterback of those who didn't reach this status was the quarterback selected No. 1 overall overall, Williams.
The Bears quarterback will have that extra spur under his seat when work begins in 2025, and GM Ryan Poles thinks there will be more push provided from coach Ben Johnson.
.@ChrisCanty99 stands by his Caleb Williams HATE@thekapman @xjhoodespn
— ESPN Chicago (@ESPN1000) January 29, 2025
brought to you by @ESPNBET pic.twitter.com/LN857XPdX5
"He's going to be challenged to be a professional football player, to do the little things the right way," Poles said of Williams. "That foundation, I know Ben is going to hit that early and often, get that foundation strong, because you’re going to build everything off of there.
"So once that’s there, now we can continue to get better and play more consistently."
#Bears
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) November 25, 2024
Caleb Williams can hammer the ball to the middle of the field when plays on time/on schedule. pic.twitter.com/DgiEPMBIzm
Johnson has expressed confidence in Williams' ability to turn it around.
"He's fearless playing that position," Johnson said. "He's got so much confidence in being able to not only throw outside the numbers but between the numbers. There’s just a lot to work with right there."
The Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze connection is going to be incredible with Ben Johnson pic.twitter.com/TWda3HKoJ2
— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) January 29, 2025
2024 Rookie QB Derby
QB, pick | Passer rating | Att/Comp | Pct. Comp | Yards | TD/INTs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daniels No. 2 | 100.1 | 331/480 | .690 | 3,568 | 25/9 |
Nix No. 12 | 93.3 | 376/567 | .663 | 3,775 | 29/12 |
Maye No. 3 | 88.1 | 225/338 | .666 | 2,276 | 15/10 |
C. Williams No. 1 | 87.8 | 351/562 | .625 | 3,541 | 20/6 |
Michael Penix No. 8 | 78.9 | 61/105 | .581 | 775 | 3/3 |
*J.J. McCarthy, No. 10, did not play due to injury
Caleb Williams had a better year than Drake Maye and it wasn’t close. https://t.co/ZtuGLMb81D pic.twitter.com/BsrTs4inc3
— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) January 28, 2025
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