Bears’ Caleb Williams entering 2026 chasing top 10 prophecy

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is entering the 2026 season with plenty of hype underneath his wings. If everything pans out as expected, he’d finish the year considered amongst the best quarterbacks in the league.

That distinction won’t just be handed to him though. A former No. 1 overall pick, he will be expected to follow through on his draft selection. At the same time, the Bears have built around Williams completely, from hiring Ben Johnson as head coach to investing heavily in their offense. The quarterback must prove he can consistently help Chicago reach new heights.

If Williams lives up to the hype, the Bears will once again be considered serious contenders. The NFL world at large believes the quarterback’s rise is for real.

NFL world backs Bears’ Caleb Williams

Across the NFL, coaches, general managers and executives all believe in what Williams bring to the gridiron. In a poll of 104 ballots, including a member of every team in the league, the Bears playmaker finished ninth on their 2026 quarterback rankings, via Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

“This pick isn’t just about what he did with Ben Johnson last year, but the direction the Bears were headed as the year ended,” Breer wrote. “And that’s why he made a jump, even with guys that left him out of the top five. “Caleb is an awesome talent,” said one AFC offensive coordinator. “In a year or two, if he stays the course with Ben Johnson, he will be top three. His physical talent is freakish.” Which is to say he’s good now—and should get a lot better.”

The rankings were based on where the coaches, GMs and execs felt each quarterback would stand at the end of the season. If Williams is amongst the top ten come playoff time, it seems likely the Bears will have taken another step forward offensively.

All of Chicago’s eggs are in Williams’ basket. They will go as far as he does. But Johnson isn’t the only person who has full confidence in the quarterback breaking out.

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