June 21, 2025

Caleb Williams' rookie season can look different depending on the lens through which you view it. On one hand, Chicago sported one of the worst offensive fronts in the league last season, with the former first-round pick getting sacked a league-leading 68 times – 16 more than the next quarterback on the list, C.J. Stroud. On the other, Williams didn't do himself any favors, routinely holding onto the ball for too long and sporting a dreadful catchable-ball rate. He compiled 3,541 yards and a 20:6 TD:INT ratio across 562 pass attempts (62.5% completion percentage), chipping in 489 scoreless rushing yards and fumbling 10 times, losing half of them. Objectively, that's far superior to 2023 first overall selection Bryce Young's rookie campaign. Williams indeed bolstered a better arsenal of weaponry than Young, but that will be the case again with rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland joining a loaded offense. Additionally, Chicago sunk a ton of resources into their offensive line and hired one of the best offensive minds of recent years, Ben Johnson, as their head coach. DJ Moore is still in his prime, and some expect big things from second-year wideout Rome Odunze, while veteran tight end Cole Kmet should still be a fine contributor. Things are looking up for Williams heading into 2025, but Chicago's success will hinge on his development as a starting quarterback. He garners sneaky rushing upside as RotoBaller's QB13.--Alex Ciulla