Caleb Williams has thrived amid Bears dysfunction and the stats prove it
The Chicago Bears are nearing a close to what started as promising and has since been a disastrous 2024 season, and the biggest bright spot has been the play of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has thrived despite the dysfunction around him.
While the Bears suffered their ninth straight loss in Sunday's 34-17 defeat to the Detroit Lions, Williams continues to show why he might just be the one to finally break the franchise's awful quarterback streak. Williams' rookie season has quietly been a solid one, despite what "experts" might try to tell you -- made even more impressive considering he's had two head coaches, three offensive coordinators and an offensive line that's allowed the most sacks in the NFL.
Don't believe it? Let the stats show you.
Williams hasn't thrown an interception since Week 6
Typically, when your quarterback isn't turning the ball over, you should be winning games. Williams has thrown just five interceptions this season, and he hasn't thrown an interception since Week 6 against the Jaguars. But Williams has now lost nine starts where he's thrown zero interceptions, which is the most in a single season since QB starts were first tracked in 1950.
From NFL Research:
Caleb Williams has now lost 9 starts in which he threw 0 interceptions, which is now the most such losses in a single season since QB starts were first tracked in 1950
His INT-less attempts streak has now reached 326, which is over 100 attempts longer than…— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) December 22, 2024
Williams is doing things other rookie QBs haven't done
While fellow rookie quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix have garnered plenty of praise with their winning teams, Williams has been just as good, if not better, in certain areas. That's especially true in how Williams hasn't thrown an interception in 326 pass attempts, which is over 100 attempts longer than the previous longest rookie streak in NFL history. It's also 100 longer than the previous record in Bears franchise history.
From NFL Research:
Caleb Williams has now lost 9 starts in which he threw 0 interceptions, which is now the most such losses in a single season since QB starts were first tracked in 1950
His INT-less attempts streak has now reached 326, which is over 100 attempts longer than…— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) December 22, 2024
Williams approaching top-5 territory in NFL history
Williams isn't just making history as a rookie quarterback, he's making a name for himself among establish veteran quarterbacks. Williams hasn't thrown an interception in 326 pass attempts, which is nearing the NFL's top-five all-time. The No. 1 pick will have a chance to break into the top-five next week against the Seahawks, as he trails Derek Carr (332) and Tom Brady (358).
Caleb Williams has not thrown an interception in 326 pass attempts.
All-time Top 5:
1. Aaron Rodgers 402
2. Tom Brady 399
3. Jared Goff 383
4. Tom Brady 358
5. Derek Carr 332— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) December 22, 2024
Williams' success against the NFC North
The NFC North (minus the Bears) is the best division in the NFL with some of the top defenses in the league. But Williams has managed to play some of his best football against his division rivals. He's completed 119 of 188 passes (63.3%) averaging 306.12 total yards per game, throwing eight touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 98.98 passer rating.
Caleb Williams vs. the NFC North:
- 119 for 188 (63.3%)
- 306.2 Total YPG
- 8 TD to 0 INT
- 98.98 passer rating
Obviously the wins haven’t come, but safe to say that’s far more on the team around him.
(📸: chicagobears/IG) pic.twitter.com/F69ezYiZhM— Jordan Anderson (@j_anderson97) December 22, 2024
Williams has been productive in last 5 games
Things have gone from good to bad to worse this season for the Bears, but Williams has remained productive despite the dysfunction. In the last five games, Williams has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions while also recording a 100-plus passer rating in three of those contests.
In the last 5 games, Caleb Williams has thrown 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions with a 100.0+ passer rating in three games.
The #Bears have problems. He isn't one of them. pic.twitter.com/Ezga1cSmGf— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 22, 2024
Williams becomes seventh QB in franchise history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season
The Bears haven't had the best quarterbacks in their 105-year history -- especially in the modern game -- but Williams is already making his mark as a rookie. Williams eclipsed the 3,000-yard passing mark, becoming just the seventh Bears quarterback to ever throw for 3,000 yards in a season. It's the first time since Mitchell Trubisky in 2019.
With that screen pass to Swift, Caleb Williams becomes the 7th Bears QB ever to pass for 3,000 yards in a season.
He's the first Bears QB to reach 3,000 yards in a season since 2019 (Trubisky).— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) December 22, 2024
Williams ties franchise record for 300-yard passing games
Everyone knows the abysmal history of quarterbacks in Chicago, but Williams already put himself among elite company through just 15 career games. As of Week 16, Williams has thrown for 3,269 yards, which is the sixth-most in franchise history. He's just five yards away from cracking the top-five and Jay Cutler's yardage in 2010 (3,274). With two games left, Williams has a chance to reach the No. 3 spot (occupied by Cutler with 3,666 yards).
Chicago Bears All-Time Single Season Passing Yardage Leaders:
1. Erik Kramer, 1995: 3838
2. Jay Cutler, 2014: 3812
3. Jay Cutler, 2009: 3666
4. Jay Cutler, 2015: 3659
5. Jay Cutler, 2010: 3274
6. Caleb Williams, 2024: 3269— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) December 22, 2024
Williams becomes Bears' first rookie QB to pass for 3,000 yards
Williams has already broken several rookie franchise records, including most passing yards and passing touchdowns. But he set another one in Week 16, becoming the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to eclipse 3,000 passing yards.
Missed this in the shuffle of the game: Caleb Williams is the first Bears quarterback with 3,000 passing yards in their rookie season.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 22, 2024
Williams makes NFL history in first 15 starts with TD-INT ratio
Williams is just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 15-plus touchdowns and five-or-fewer interceptions in his first 15 starts. He joins Robert Griffin III, Damon Huard, Dan Prescott and C.J. Stroud. Williams is just four touchdowns away from breaking Stroud's rookie touchdown-to-interception ratio, and he's got two more games to accomplish it.
Per the NFL: “Caleb Williams is the fifth quarterback all-time with 15-or-more touchdown passes and five-or-fewer interceptions in his first 15 career starts, joining Robert Griffin III, Damon Huard, Dak Prescott and C.J. Stroud.”
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 23, 2024
Williams 1 of 2 QBs to throw multiple touchdowns vs. Lions in 2024
The Lions defense has been dominant this season, even despite losing multiple starters and key contributors to injury. Williams joins elite company as one of two quarterbacks in the NFL this season to throw multiple touchdowns against Detroit. Josh Allen had two against the Lions in a Week 15 victory. Meanwhile, Williams has thrown for multiple touchdowns twice against Detroit -- three in Week 13 and two in Week 16.
2 QBs have thrown Multiple TDs against the Lions this season:
Josh Allen
Caleb Williams (Twice)— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) December 22, 2024
The fact that Williams has been able to find success amid a nine-game losing streak with multiple changes at offensive coordinator and head coach, while also operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, all while being a rookie -- that's pretty darn impressive. Not to mention, it bodes well for the future if the Bears can get the right head coach for him. And that very well might be a familiar face in Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Caleb Williams has thrived amid Bears dysfunction, and stats prove it